LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 

URBAN A 


VALENTINE  REINTZEL 

GRAND  MASTER,  1811. 


1811 


FEBRUARY  19 


1911 


(Ciuttiuuual  (!>U'hralum 

OF  THE 


GRAND  LODGE 


FREE  AND  ACCEPTED  MASONS 


DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


FEBRUARY  18,  19,  20 


191 1 


(Uelcbration 


The  First  Centennial  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District 
of  Columbia  was  celebrated  February  18,  19  and  20,  1911. 
The  features  of  the  celebration  were  a Reception  during  the 
evening  of  Saturday,  February  18,  in  the  new  Masonic 
Temple,  Thirteenth  street  and  New  York  avenue  N.  W.,  to 
which  the  Craft  generally  and  its  friends  were  invited;  a 
REUGious  Service  in  the  Belasco  Theatre,  LaFayette  Place, 
on  Sunday  afternoon,  the  19th,  which  was  general  in  its  ad- 
missions; a Special  Communication  oe  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  the  Temple  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  and  a Banquet 
at  the  New  Willard  Hotel  on  the  evening  of  the  20th. 


>4h  ¥x- 


Invitations  were  extended  to  the  Grand  Masters  of  all 
Grand  Lodges  with  which  this  Grand  Lodge  is  in  affilia- 
tion— 79. 

The  following  were  present : 

Grand  Masters : 

Henry  L Ballou.... 

Henry  S.  Bridges.. 

Robert  R.  Burnam. . 

Randolph  B.  Chapnu 
Richard  N.  Hackett 

John  J.  Hull 

James  R.  Johnson.. 

Lawrence  H.  Lee... 

Thomas  J.  Shyrock. 

Wyndham  Stokes  . . 

G.  Roscoe  Swift.... 

Past  Grand  Masters : 

John  M.  Carter 

Frank  E.  Harrison. 

Frank  W.  Havens. 

William  T.  Mitchell 
William  H.  Nichols 

Grand  Secretary : 

George  A.  Beauchamp Alabama. 

Responses  were  had  from  the  Grand  Masters  of  the  fol- 
lowing jurisdictions,  who  were  not  present : 

Arizona,  Canada,  Colorado,  Delaware,  England,  Florida,  Georgia, 
Illinois,  Iowa,  Louisiana,  Manitoba,  Massachusetts,  Montana, 
Netherlands,  New  Mexico,  Nova  Scotia,  Ohio,  Oregon,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Prince  Edward  Island,  Sweden,  Swiss  Alpina,  Tasmania, 
Victoria,  Virginia,  Wisconsin. 


Vermont. 

New  Brunswick. 

Kentucky. 

m Connecticut. 

North  Carolina. 

North  Dakota. 

South  Carolina. 

Alabama. 

Maryland. 

West  Virginia. 

Michigan. 

Maryland. 

South  Carolina. 

Connecticut. 

Michigan. 

Texas. 


6 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


SATURDAY,  FEBRUARY  18,  1911. 

RECEPTION. 

All  of  the  Masonic  Temple  in  use  by  the  Craft  (the  fifth 
floor  and  about  one-fourth  of  the  second  floor  being  devoted 
to  commercial  purposes)  was  in  requisition  for  the  purposes 
of  the  reception,  from  8 to  io  p.  m. 

The  New  York  avenue  entrance  to  the  Auditorium  was 
used  by  those  arriving,  the  line  being  formed  at  the  door  and 
from  this  point  preceding  to  the  west  end  of  the  Auditorium, 
where  each  person  was  received  by  the  Grand  Master  of 
Masons  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  the  introductions  being 
made  by  Past  Master  Claude  F.  King,  chairman  of  the  Re- 
ception Committee. 

Passing  the  Grand  Master,  the  line  proceeded  to  the  east 
end  of  the  Auditorium,  down  to  the  banquet  hall  where 
refreshments  were  served,  taking  the  elevators  to  the  fourth 
floor  of  the  building  and  coming  down  the  stairways  either 
to  the  Thirteenth  street  exit  or  returning  to  the  Auditorium, 
where  dancing  was  in  progress  from  the  close  of  the  recep- 
tion at  io  o’clock  p.  m.  until  midnight. 

Though  more  than  5,000  persons  were  in  attendance  upon 
the  reception,  by  keeping  the  movement  of  the  line  all  one 
way  there  was  an  entire  absence  of  confusion  or  inconveni- 
ence. 

The  officers  and  past  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  visiting 
Grand  Masters,  members  of  the  Centennial  Committee  and 
ladies  accompanying  the  party  assembled  in  the  offices  of  the 
Grand  Master  and  Grand  Secretary  and  headquarters  of  the 
Centennial  Committee  on  the  second  floor  of  the  Temple.  A 
procession  was  formed  and  proceeded  to  the  Auditorium. 
The  ladies  of  the  party  were  seated  in  the  gallery  of  the 
Auditorium.  All  members  of  the  Grand  Master’s  party,  with 
the  exception  of  the  Grand  Master,  were  seated  on  the  stage 


OE  THE  GRAND  DODGE,  E.  A.  A.  M. 


7 


in  the  Auditorium ; the  Grand  Master  taking  station  in  front 
of  the  stage  and  receiving  those  in  attendance. 

The  Masters  of  Lodges  formed  a special  floor  committee  as 
aids  to  the  General  Committee  and  under  the  immediate 
direction  of  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Reception. 

DECORATIONS  IN  THE  AUDITORIUM. 

The  stage  opening  was  covered  with  a background  of  blue 
with  a lambrequin  and  curtains  of  American  flags  as  a frame 
for  a group  consisting  of  a large  banner  with  square  and 
compass  surrounded  by  a cluster  of  flags ; proscenium  being 
decorated  with  flags  to  conform  thereto ; the  front  and  sides 
of  stage  were  draped  with  embroidered  silk  plush ; on  the 
stage  around  the  edges  thereof,  beginning  at  the  wall  on 
either  side  about  eight  feet  high  and  descending  to  about 
eighteen  inches  high  at  the  front  and  across  the  front,  was 
a mask  or  railing  of  green  composed  of  palms,  ferns, 
palmetto  leaves,  pines  and  smilax. 

On  the  sides  of  the  hall,  blue  draperies  fell  from  the  outer 
edge  of  the  balcony  to  the  floor  , masking  the  space  under  the 
balconies,  adding  symmetry  to  the  room  and  giving  the 
effect  of  increased  height  of  ceiling. 

Blue  streamers  ran  from  a point  in  the  ceiling  to  the  sides 
and  ends  of  the  hall  over  the  balcony. 

The  pilasters  and  spaces  on  the  east  wall  under  the  balcony 
were  covered  with  Masonic  banners,  flags  and  draperies ; 
the  pilasters  and  walls  above  the  balcony  being  decorated  to 
harmonize  with  those  below,  while  the  front  of  the  balcony 
was  covered  with  silk  plush,  hand  embroidered  with  silk 
arazine  and  gold,  forming  a background  for  Masonic  banners 
draped  with  flags. 

In  the  banquet  hall,  the  sides  were  masked  in  with  blue, 
the  pilasters  and  spaces  between  draped  with  flags  and 
banners. 

The  lobbies  on  each  floor  were  decorated  in  harmony  with 
the  scheme  used  in  the  Auditorium  and  banquet  hall. 


8 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


ittustcal  program 


1.  MARCH — Centennial  Stotte 

2.  SELECTION — M’lle  Modiste Herbert 

3.  WALTZ  SUITE — -Wedding  of  the  Winds Hall 

4.  OVERTURE— Jubilee  • Bach 

5.  SEXTETTE — Lucia  Donizetti 

6.  SPANISH  DANCE  Moszkowski 

7.  MARCH — Fairest  of  the  Fair Sousa 

8.  EXCERPTS — Bohemian  Girl  Balfe 

9.  SONGS  OF  THE  SOUTH Bendix 

10.  GEMS  FROM  ALGERIA Herbert 


^aitrc  Program — 10  to  12 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 


WALTZ  Red  Mill 

TWO  STEP  Happy  Days 

WALTZ All  that  I Ask,  is  Love 

TWO  STEP Silver  Bell 

WALTZ  The  Debutante 

TWO  STEP  La  Lorrella 

WALTZ  Visions  of  Salome 

TWO  STEP  The  Yankee  Prince 

WALTZ Twelfth  Regiment 

TWO  STEP Military  Days 


Orchestra  under  the  direction  of  William  A.  Haley. 


The  Reception  was  held  in  the  Auditorium  of  the 
Temple,  entrance  on  New  York  avenue. 

Diagram  indicates  the  lines  of  movement. 

All  that  part  of  the  building  devoted  to  Masonic  use  was 
thrown  open  for  inspection  and  the  accommodation  of  those 
in  attendance. 


/# 


H ST.  EX/T 


SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY  19,  1911. 


RELIGIOUS  SERVICE. 


On  Sunday  afternoon,  the  19th,  at  2 o’clock,  the  Belasco 
Theater,  with  an  attendance  of  some  2,000  people,  presented 
an  inspiring  sight. 

The  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  visiting  Grand  Masters, 
Centennial  Committee  and  those  participating  in  the  exer- 
cises were  seated  on  the  stage.  Past  Master  Andrew 
Wilson,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Religious  Service, 
presided,  when  the  following  program  was  rendered : 


Overture  Orchestra 

Coronation  March  (Meyerbeer) Orchestra 

Invocation  Rev.  J.  Russell  Verbrycke 

America  Congregation 

Mrs.  Ivy  Harrot  Shade. 

c-  , • r /n  ,,  1 , 1 Miss  Edna  Scott  Smith 

Sing  Alleluia  Forth  (Dudley  Buck) < 

Mr.  Charles  E.  Myers 
Mr.  Charles  W.  Moore. 

Reading  of  Scriptures Rt.  Rev.  Alfred  Harding,  D.  D., 

Bishop  of  Washington. 


Abide  with  Me  

Prayer  

Handel’s  Largo  

What  Hath  Masonry  Wrought? 

The  Lord  is  King  (Marston)  . . . 

The  Spirit  of  the  Craft 

Centennial  Hymn  (Jermane) . . 

Closing  Prayer  

March  Romaine  (Gounod) 


Congregation 

Rev.  U.  G.  B.  Pierce,  D.D. 

Orchestra 

Rev.  Abram  Simon,  Ph.  D. 

j Mrs.  Shade,  Miss  Smith 
t Mr.  Myers,  Mr.  Moore. 

Rev.  Earle  Wilfley 

Congregation 

...Rev.  J.  Henning  Nelms 
Orchestra 


Precentor  

Director  of  Choir  

At  the  Piano  

Orchestra  under  the  direction  of 


....  Mr.  Percy  S.  Foster 
Mr.  J.  Walter  Humphrey 
Mrs.  Elsie  Bond  Bischoff 
Sol  Minster 


OF  THF  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


11 


MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  20,  1911. 

special  communication  of  grand  lodge. 

On  Monday  morning,  the  20th,  at  io  o’clock,  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  convened  in  special  communication,  when  the  fol- 
lowing program  was  rendered : 

Opening  of  Grand  Lodge. 

Invocation Rev.  J.  Russell  Verbrycke,  Grand  Chaplain 

Welcome  to  visiting  brethren  by  the  Grand  Master. 

Selection — “O  God,  Most  Holy” Frank 

Centennial  Choir. 

Opening  Address J.  Claude  Keiper 

Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 

Selection — “Centennial  Hymn”  Jermane 

Centennial  Choir. 

Historical  Address — Bro.  Kenton  N.  Harper,  Grand  Lodge  Historian 

Selection — “God  is  my  Guide” Schubert 

Centennial  Choir. 

Remarks  by  visiting  Grand  Masters. 

Music — Selected  Centennial  Choir 

Closing  Ceremonies. 


centennial  CHOIR. 

Oscar  F.  Comstock,  Organist  and  Director. 


FIRST  TENORS. 
William  Atherholt. 
Richard  P.  Backing 
George  V.  Blakeney. 
Charles  E.  Myers. 
William  J.  Palmer. 

first  basses. 
William  Clabaugh. 
James  Hicks. 

J.  Henry  Kaiser. 
Roland  R.  Rodrick. 


second  tenors. 

John  L.  Apple. 

Charles  R.  Bartlett. 
Melville  D.  Hensey. 
Frederick  Sillers. 

SECOND  BASSES. 

J.  Walter  Humphrey. 
Charles  W.  Moore. 
Oliver  A.  Phelps. 
George  F.  D.  Rollings. 


%!am]uct 

On  Monday  evening,  the  20th,  at  8 o’clock,  there  assembled 
at  the  New  Willard  Hotel,  as  guests  of  the  Grand  Lodge: 
The  President  of  the  United  States ; representative  of  the 
District  Commissioners  in  the  person  of  Commissioner  Cuno 
H.  Rudolph ; the  officers  and  past  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
F.  A.  A.  M.,  of  the  District  of  Columbia;  visiting  Grand 
Masters  and  others  from  sister  jurisdictions ; the  presiding 
officers  of  all  Masonic  and  affiliated  bodies  in  the  District  of 
Columbia. 

The  members  of  the  party  were  seated  in  accordance 
with  the  plan  shown  in  the  accompanying  illustration : 


r.  Thompson,  Mr.  Speer  Mr.  Wilson  Mr.  C.  F.  King  Mr.  James, 

l/irp-Chnirmr. 


14 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


JCtsi  of  (buests 

The  President  of  the  United  States. 

J.  Claude  Keiper,  Grand  Master  of  Masons,  District  of  Columbia 
Admiral  George  W.  Baird,  Past  Grand  Master,  Vice-President 
Masonic  Veterans’  Association 
Charles  E.  Baldwin,  Senior  Grand  Warden 
Henry  L.  Ballou,  Grand  Master  of  Vermont 
Charles  R.  Bartlett,  member  quartette 
George  A.  Beauchamp,  Grand  Secretary  of  Alabama 
Rudolph  B.  Behrend,  Master  of  Hope  Lodge  No.  20 
Warren  C.  Bickford,  Grand  Tiler 

Clifford  A.  Borden,  Master  of  Stansbury  Lodge  No.  24 
Henry  S.  Bridges,  Grand  Master  of  New  Brunswick 
Walter  A.  Brown,  Past  Grand  Master  and  President  St.  John’s 
Mite  Association 

Simon  Bube,  Patron  Electa  Chapter  No.  2,  O.  E.  S. 

Capt.  Archibald  W.  Butt,  aide  to  the  President 
Thomas  A.  Bynum,  Patron  Naomi  Chapter  No.  3,  O.  E.  S. 

Delos  M.  Carter,  Master  Acacia  Lodge  No.  18 
John  M.  Carter,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Maryland 
Rudolph  B.  Chapman,  Grand  Master  of  Connecticut 
Jacob  W.  Collins,  Master  of  Adoniram  Council,  No.  2,  R.  S.  M. 
Augustus  B.  Coolidge,  Past  Grand  Master 

George  E.  Corson,  King  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  R.  A. 
M,  U.  S.  A. 

Leslie  Cramer,  President  Convention  Anointed  High  Priests 
J.  Harry  Cunningham,  Senior  Grand  Steward 
Levi  H.  David,  Master  St.  John’s  Lodge  No.  11 
William  Hart  Dexter,  Commander  DeMolay  Mounted  Commandery 
No.  4,  K.  T. 

Harrison  Dingman,  Past  Grand  Master 
William  E.  Dyre,  Master  Takoma  Lodge  No.  29. 

Abram  G.  Frey,  High  Priest  Brightwood  Chapter  No.  9,  R.  A.  M. 
Roe  Fulkerson,  Chairman  Committee  on  Banquet 
William  H.  Gibson,  High  Priest  Capitol  Chapter  No.  11,  R.  A.  M. 
Lurtin  R.  Ginn,  Past  Grand  Master,  Vice-President  Masonic  and 
O.  E.  S.  Home;  President  National  Masonic  Board  of  Relief 
Alexander  Grant,  Grand  Marshal 

Adolphus  Gude,  Potentate  Almas  Temple.  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S. 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


15 


Richard  N.  Hackett,  Grand  Master  of  North  Carolina 
Walter  L.  Hagen,  Patron  Areme  Chapter  No.  io,  O.  E.  S. 

Goff  A.  Hall,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master 
Charles  W.  Hancock,  Past  Grand  Secretary 

Eugene  G.  Harbour,  High  Priest  Hiram  Chapter  No.  io,  R.  A.  M. 
Kenton  N.  Harper,  Historian  of  Grand  Lodge  and  Commander  of 
Orient  Commandery  No.  5,  K.  T. 

William  A.  Harries,  Master  Federal  Lodge  No.  i 
Frank  E.  Harrison,  Past  Grand  Master,  South  Carolina 
William  H.  Harrison,  Commander,  Potomac  Commandery  No. 

3.  K.  T. 

Robert  E.  Harvey,  Patron  Martha  Chapter  No.  4,  O.  E.  S. 

Frank  W.  Havens,  Past  Grand  Master,  Connecticut 
William  G.  Henderson,  Past  Grand  Master 
The  Washington  Herald 

William  S.  Herndon,  Master  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  3. 

James  S.  Hicks,  member  quartett 

John  J.  Hull,  Grand  Master,  North  Dakota 

J.  Walter  Humphry,  member  quartette 

Clement  W.  Huske,  High  Priest  LaFayette  Chapter  No.  5, 
R.  A.  M. 

George  W.  Ingham,  Master  Osiris  Lodge  No.  26 

Charles  J.  James,  Vice  Chairman  Centennial  Committee 

William  W.  Jermane,  Senior  Grand  Deacon 

W.  Ivanhoe  Jochum,  Master  The  New  Jerusalem  Lodge,  No.  9 

James  R.  Johnson,  Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina 

William  J.  Johnson,  Master  Naval  Lodge  No.  4 

Arvine  W.  Johnston,  Grand  Secretary 

Gabriel  F.  Johnston,  Commander  Washington  Commandery 
No.  1,  K.  T. 

Jacobus  S.  Jones,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  R.  A.  M. 

Maj.  William  V.  Judson,  District  Commissioner 
Stirling  Kerr,  33  0 Hon.,  Deput)^  for  the  Supreme  Council, 
A.  A.  S.  R. 

Claude  F.  King,  Chairman  Committe  on  Reception 
Thomas  G.  King,  Master  Potomac  Lodge  No.  5 
Wilbur  H.  Lawrence,  Master  Anacostia  Lodge  No.  21 
Jesse  W.  Lee,  Past  Grand  Master 
Lawrence  H.  Lee,  Grand  Master,  Alabama 
Richard  C.  Lewis,  Master  Mount  Pleasant  Lodge  No.  33 
Dr.  James  T.  McClenahan,  Master  Washington  Centennial  Lodge 
No.  14 

Blair  McKenzie,  Master  Lebanon  Lodge  No.  7 


16 


CENTENNIAL,  CELEBRATION 


William  Mehn,  President  Masonic  Board  of  Relief 
Henry  S.  Merrill,  Past  Grand  Master 
Joseph  H.  Milans,  Grand  Pursuivant 
William  T.  Mitchell,  Past  Grand  Master,  Michigan 
Elwood  P.  Morey,  32  0 K.  C.  C.  H.,  Master  Mithras  Lodge  of 
Perfection,  A.  A.  S.  R. 

T.  Frank  Morgan,  Patron  Esther  Chapter  No.  5,  O.  E.  S. 

Moses  D.  Mull,  Grand  High  Priest,  R.  A.  M. 

Ben  W.  Murch,  Deputy  Grand  Master 
Charles  E.  Myers,  member  quartette 

E.  Harry  L.  Myers,  High  Priest  Potomac  Chapter  No.  8,  R.  A.  M. 
Horace  S.  Naylor,  Master  Pentalpha  Lodge  No.  23 
Rev.  J.  Henning  Nelms,  Assistant  Grand  Chaplain 
T.  John  Newton,  Junior  Grand  Warden 

Isaac  B.  Nordlinger,  Master  George  C.  Whiting  Lodge,  No.  22 
Thomas  C.  Noyes,  Chairman  Committee  on  Publicity 
Dr.  George  C.  Ober,  Past  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Commander, 
Knights  Templar,  D.  C. 

Roger  O’Donnell,  High  Priest  Mount  Vernon  Chapter  No.  3, 
R.  A.  M. 

Charles  J.  O’Neill,  Junior  Grand  Steward 

Myron  M.  Parker,  Past  Grand  Master 

Isaac  S.  Pennybacker,  Master  King  David  Lodge,  No.  28 

Charles  W.  Pimper,  Master  Hiram  Lodge  No.  10 

Washington  Post 

Edward  N.  Riley,  Master  William  R.  Singleton  Lodge  No.  30 
Jules  A.  Rodier,  High  Priest  Washington  Naval  Chapter  No.  6. 
R.  A.  M. 

Hon.  Cuno  H.  Rudolph,  District  Commissioner 
James  A.  Sample,  Past  Grand  Master,  Grand  Treasurer 
John  Sands,  Patron  Temple  Chapter  No.  13,  O.  E.  S. 

William  J.  Satterfield,  High  Priest  Washington  Chapter  No.  2, 
R.  A.  M. 

Francis  A.  Sebring,  33  0 Hon.,  Master  and  Commander,  A.  A.  S. 
R. — Evangelist  Chapter  Rose  Croix,  Robert  de  Bruce  Council 
Kadosh,  Albert  Pike  Consistory 
George  G.  Seibold,  Master  Dawson  Lodge  No.  16 
George  L.  Sherman,  Master  National  Lodge  No.  12 
John  H.  Shreve,  Monarch  Kallipolis  Grotto,  Veiled  Prophets 
Thomas  K.  Shryock,  Grand  Master  of  Maryland 
Henry  K.  Simpson,  Past  Grand  Master 
John  H.  Small,  Jr.,  Past  Grand  Master 

Martin  R.  Speelman,  Master  Benjamin  B.  French  Lodge  No.  15 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE),  F.  A.  A.  M. 


17 


Luther  F.  Speer,  Chairman  Committee  on  Special  Communication 
Grand  Lodge 

Harry  Standiford,  Past  Grand  Master 
Evening  Star 

Martin  L.  Statler,  Master  King  Solomon  Lodge  No.  31 
Dr.  Charles  A.  Stewart,  Commander  Columbia  Commandery 
No.  2,  K.  T. 

Wyndham  Stokes,  Grand  Master  of  West  Virginia 
Wallace  Streater,  Grand  Patron,  O.  E.  S. 

G.  Roscoe  Swift,  Grand  Master  of  Michigan 

E.  St.  Clair  Thompson,  Chairman  Centennial  Committee 

Washington  Times 

Lem.  Towers,  Jr.,  Grand  Sword  Bearer 
Matthew  Trimble,  Past  Grand  Master 
Rev.  J.  Russell  Verbrycke,  Grand  Chaplain 
Charles  C.  Wagner,  with  the  President 

Charles  Walsh,  High  Priest  Anacostia  Chapter  No. 12,  R.  A.  M. 
Francis  N.  Westerman,  Master  Harmony  Lodge  No.  17,  High 
Priest  Columbia  Chapter  No.  1,  R.  A.  M. 

James  A.  Wetmore,  Past  Grand  Master 

L.  Cabell  Williamson,  Past  Grand  Master 

Andrew  Wilson,  Chairman  Committee  on  Religious  Service 

James  W.  Witten,  Junior  Grand  Deacon 

Francis  J.  Woodman,  Past  Grand  Master 

John  R.  Wright,  Master  LaFayette  Lodge  No.  19 

Thomas  H.  Young,  Grand  Lecturer 


r© 

7b 


MENU  AND  PROGRAM. 

Of  Many  Platitudes: 

Is  Not  This  the  Tritest — 
When  All  Is  Said  and  Done- 
“That  Fellowship  Is  Ripest 
When  ME-N-U  Are  One  ?” 


Cape  Cod  Oysters 
Clear  Green  Turtle 

Celery  Olives  Radishes  Salted  Nuts 
Introduction  of  Toast  Master Chairman  of  Committee 

Potomac  Bass,  Saute  Meuniere 
Hothouse  Cucumbers 

Remarks — Toastmaster J.  Claude  Keiper,  Grand  Master 

Filet  of  Beef,  Pique,  Fresh  Mushrooms 
Stuffed  Green  Peppers,  New  Peas 

Selection Centennial  Quartette 

Sorbet  au  Fruit 

Violin  Solo Mr.  Herman  C.  Rakemann 

Accompanist,  Mr.  John  S.  M.  Zimmerman 
Ruddy  Duck 

Wild  Rice  Currant  Jelly 
Salad  a la  Taft 

Selection Centennial  Quartette 

Ices  a la  Murphy 
Assorted  Cakes 
Coffee 


Address The  President  of  the  United  States 

Addresses Visiting  Grand  Masters 

Martini  Cocktails 

Haut  Sauterne  Cigars 

Mumm’s  Extra  Dry  White  Rock  Cigarettes 


Centennial  Committee 

E.  St.  Clair  Thompson,  Chairman 
Charles  J.  James,  Vice-Chairman 
Thomas  C.  Noyes 
Claude  F.  King 
Andrew  Wilson 
Luther  F.  Speer 
Roe  Fulkerson 

SUB-COMMITTALS, 

Printing,  Invitations,  Entertainment Charles  J.  James 

Publicity Thomas  C.  Noyes 

Reception Claude  F.  King 

Religious  Service Andrew  Wilson 

Special  Communication  Grand  Lodge Luther  F.  Speer 

Banquet Roe  Fulkerson 

CANTANNIAU  QUARTATTA. 


Charles  E.  Myers. 
Charles  R.  Bartlett. 


James  S.  Hicks. 

J.  Walter  Humphrey. 


program  of  ilfustc 


MARCH — Centennial  Lincke 

OVERTURE — King  Mydas Bilenberg 

SELECTION — Robin  Hood De  Koven 

MADAM  SHERRY — Every  Little  Movement Hoschna 

SELECTION — Spring  Maid Reinhardt 

SONG — The  Moonlight,  the  Rose  and  You Baer 

BARCAROLLE — Tales  of  Hoffman Offenbach 

MY  HERO— The  Chocolate  Soldier Strauss 


Orchestra  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Herman  C.  Rakemann. 
Decorations  by  John  H.  Small. 


The  foregoing,  and  the  addresses  made  at  the  various  func- 
tions and  hereto  attached,  are  submitted  by  the  Centennial 
Committee  as  the  record  of  the  celebration  of  the  first  Cen- 
tennial of  the  Grand  Lodge,  F.  A.  A.  M.  of  the  District  of 
Columbia. 

E.  ST.  CLAIR  THOMPSON, 
Chairman  Centennial  Committee. 


GRAND  MASTER,  ign 


RELIGIOUS  SERVICE 

BELASCO  THEATRE 


FEBRUARY  NINETEENTH,  1911 


Reltiymts  Seduce 


Brother  Andrew  Wilson,  presiding: 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  Members  of  the  Craft,  Ladies 
and  Gentlemen : This  is  the  Centennial  Day  of  the  constitution  of 

the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  the  District  of 
Columbia.  To  preserve  uncorrupted  the  idea  of  the  unity  of  God 
and  the  immortality  of  the  soul  was  one  of  the  chief  aims  of  the 
Ancient  Craft.  In  its  history,  its  purpose,  its  teachings,  and  its 
philosophy  Speculative  Masonry  regards  the  intellectual,  ihe  moral, 
and  the  spiritual  qualifications  of  man  and  his  duty  to  God,  his 
neighbor,  and  himself.  Nothing,  therefore,  could  be  more  appro- 
priate on  this  Centennial  Day  than  assembling  to  worship  Him  to 
whose  service  all  Masons  have  dedicated  their  lives. 

Another  sentiment,  sacred,  ennobling,  and  akin  to  religion  is  that 
of  patriotism.  Masonry  teaches  us  that  we  should  be  true  to  our 
Government  and  just  to  our  country. 

Let  us  all  stand  and  sing  “America,”  after  which  the  Grand 
Chaplain,  Rev.  J.  Russell  Verbrycke,  pastor  of  the  Gurley  Me- 
morial Presbyterian  Church,  will  invoke  the  Divine  blessing.  Brother 
Percy  S.  Foster,  precentor,  will  lead  the  singing. 

The  hymn  “America’"  was  sung,  and  the  Grand  Chaplain, 
Rev.  Brother  J.  Russell  Verbrycke,  then  delivered  the  fol- 
ing  invocation : 

O King  Eternal,  our  God  and  our  Father;  Thou  who  art  the 
same  yesterday,  today,  and  forever,  we  lift  our  hearts  to  Thee. 
Thou  art  worthy  to  receive  our  praise  and  adoration.  Heaven  and 
earth  are  full  of  Thy  glory. 

We  humbly  invoke  Thy  presence  and  blessing  upon  this  occasion. 
And  as  the  glory  of  God  filled  the  temple  of  old,  so  fill  this  temple 
with  Thy  glory. 

Thou  hast  been  our  help  in  ages  past.  Thou  art  our  hope  for  the 
years  to  come.  May  Thy  stately  steppings  still  lead  us  onward.  We 
thank  Thee,  O God,  for  the  history  of  our  ancient  Craft.  Vouch- 
safe unto  us  a still  more  glorious  future. 


26 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


May  the  principles  of  our  Order,  which  have  bound  men’s  hearts 
together  in  brotherly  love,  tend,  evermore,  to  build  them  up  in 
character  and  in  righteousness.  In  the  divine  Fatherhood  of  God 
may  we  come  to  an  ever  widening  conception  and  realization  of 
the  brotherhood  of  man  and  of  our  mutual  relationship  and  respons- 
ibilities one  to  another. 

And  now,  our  Father,  grant  Thy  divine  benediction  to  rest  upon 
these  exercises.  Inspire  those  who  shall  address  us.  And  may  this 
service  tend  to  strengthen  our  Faith,  increase  our  hope,  and  to 
unite  our  hearts  more  closely  together  in  holy  charity. 

And  may  Thy  name  receive  all  the  praise,  the  honor  and  the 
glory,  world  without  end.  Amen  ! 

Brother  Wilson:  “The  Bible  is  the  inestimable  gift  of 

God  to  man  for  the  rule  and  guide  of  his  faith.”  Selections 
from  the  Scriptures  will  be  read  by  our  distinguished  brother 
and  churchman,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Alfred  Harding,  D.D.,  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Bishop  of  Washington. 

Bishop  Harding  read  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  follows : 

And  Hiram  King  of  Tyre  sent  his  servants  unto  Solomon;  for  he 
had  heard  that  they  had  anointed  him  king  in  the  room  of  his 
father;  for  Hiram  was  ever  a lover  of  David. 

2.  And  Solomon  sent  to  Hiram,  saying, 

3.  Thou  knowest  how  that  David  my  father  could  not  build  an 
house  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord  his  God  for  the  wars  which  were 
about  him  on  every  side,  until  the  Lord  put  them  under  the  soles 
of  his  feet. 

4.  But  now  the  Lord  my  God  hath  given  me  rest  on  every  side, 
so  that  there  is  neither  adversary  nor  evil  occurrent. 

5.  And,  behold,  I purpose  to  build  an  house  unto  the  name  of  the 
Lord  my  God,  as  the  Lord  spake  unto  David,  my  father,  saying, 
Thy  son,  whom  I will  set  upon  the  throne  in  thy  room,  he  shall 
build  an  house  unto  my  name. 

6.  Now  therefore  command  thou  that  they  hew  me  cedar  trees 
out  of  Lebanon ; and  my  servants  shall  be  with  thy  servants ; and 
unto  thee  will  I give  hire  for  thy  servants  according  to  all  that 
thou  shalt  appoint : for  thou  knowest  that  there  is  not  among  us  any 
that  can  skill  to  hew  timber  like  unto  the  Sidonians. 

7.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Hiram  heard  the  words  of  Solo- 
mon, that  he  rejoiced  greatly,  and  said,  Blessed  be  the  Lord  this 


OF  THF  GRAND  DODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M.  27 

day,  which  hath  given  unto  David  a wise  son  over  this  great  people. 

8.  And  Hiram  sent  to  Solomon,  saying,  I have  considered  the 
things  which  thou  sentest  to  me  for : and  I will  do  all  thy  desire 
concerning  timber  of  cedar,  and  concerning  timber  of  fir. 

9.  My  servants  shall  bring  them  down  from  Lebanon  unto  the 
sea : and  I will  convey  them  by  sea  in  floats  unto  the  place  that 
thou  shall  appoint  me,  and  will  cause  them  to  be  discharged  there, 
and  thou  shalt  receive  them : and  thou  shall  accomplish  my  desire, 
in  giving  food  for  my  household. 

10.  So  Hiram  gave  Solomon  cedar  trees  and  fir  +rees  according 
to  all  his  desire. 

11.  And  Solomon  gave  Hiram  twenty  thousand  measures  of 
wheat  for  food  to  his  household,  and  twenty  measures  of  pure  oil : 
thus  gave  Solomon  to  Hiram  year  by  year. 

12.  And  the  Lord  gave  Solomon  wisdom,  as  he  promised  him : and 
there  was  peace  between  Hiram  and  Solomon ; and  they  two  made 
a league  together. 

13.  And  king  Solomon  raised  a levy  out  of  all  Israel ; and  the 
levy  was  thirty  thousand  men. 

14.  And  he  sent  them  to  Lebanon,  ten  thousand  a month  by 
courses  : a month  they  were  in  Lebanon,  and  two  months  at  home : 
and  Adoniram  was  over  the  levy. 

15.  And  Solomon  had  threescore  and  ten  thousand  that  bare 
burdens,  and  fourscore  thousand  hewers  in  the  mountains ; 

16.  Beside  the  chief  of  Solomon’s  officers  which  were  over  the 
work,  three  thousand  and  three  hundred,  which  ruled  over  the 
people  that  wrought  in  the  work. 

1 7.  And  the  king  commanded,  and  they  brought  great  stones, 
costly  stones,  and  hewed  stones,  to  lay  the  foundation  of  the  house. 

18.  And  Solomon’s  builders  and  Hiram’s  builders  did  hew  them, 
and  the  stonesquarers : so  they  prepared  timber  and  stones  to  build 
the  house.  (I.  Kings,  c.  5.) 


I was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  Let  us  go  into  the  house  of 
the  Lord. 

2.  Our  feet  shall  stand  within  thy  gates,  O Jerusalem. 

3.  Jerusalem  is  builded  as  a city  that  is  compact  together. 

4.  Whither  the  tribes  go  up,  the  tribes  of  the  Lord,  unto  the  testi- 
mony of  Israel,  to  give  thanks  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

5.  For  there  are  set  thrones  of  judgment,  the  thrones  of  the 
house  of  David. 


28 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


6.  Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  : they  shall  prosper  that  love 
thee. 

7.  Peace  be  within  thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within  thy  palaces. 

8.  For  my  brethren  and  companions’  sakes,  I will  now  say,  Peace 
be  within  thee. 

9.  Because  of  the  house  of  the  Ford  our  God  I will  seek  thy  good. 
— ( Psalm .»  122.) 

The  congregation  then  sang  “Abide  with  me.” 

Brother  Wilson.  Let  us  all  stand  and  be  led  in  prayer  by 
Rev.  Brother  Ulysses  G.  B.  Pierce,  D.  D.,  chaplain  of  the 
United  States  Senate,  and  pastor  of  All  Souls’  Church. 

PRAYER. 

By  Rev.  UeyssES  G.  B.  Pierce,  D.  D. 

Almighty  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  Creator  and  Sustainer  of  the 
world,  we  thank  Thee  for  the  Providence  which  calls  us  from  the 
north  and  from  the  south,  and  gathers  us  from  the  east  and  from 
the  west,  to  praise  Thy  name.  Thou  hast  guided  us  in  ways  which 
we  could  not  know,  and  in  paths  which  we  could  not  understand 
Thou  hast  led  us ; and  through  the  hopes  and  labors  of  the  years 
Thou  hast  brought  us  to  this  glad  hour.  Other  men  have  labored, 
and  we  have  entered  into  their  labors.  We  thank  Thee,  our  Father, 
Giver  of  every  good  gift,  and  every  perfect  boon.  Make  us  worthy 
of  our  proud  heritage.  Knit  our  hearts  together  in  love,  and  inspire 
us  with  heavenly  zeal.  Bless,  we  pray  Thee,  the  institution  we  now 
commemorate  and  grant  that  as  its  days,  so  its  strength  may  be. 
And  not  unto  us,  not  unto  us,  O Lord,  but  unto  Thy  holy  name,  be 
the  glory  now  and  forevermore.  Amen ! 

Brother  Wilson.  “By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them”  is 
the  universal  test.  “What  Hath  Masonry  Wrought?”  is  the 
topic  of  our  brother,  Rabbi  Abram  Simon,  Ph.  D.,  of  the 
Hebrew  Temple. 

“WHAT  HATH  MASONRY  WROUGHT?” 

By  Rev.  Abram  Simon. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen : One  hundred  years  in  the  life  of  the 

universe  is  like  a story  that  is  told,  like  a watch  in  the  night.  A 


OF  THE  GRAND  DODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


29 


hundred  years  in  the  life  of  a human  institution  is  an  impressive 
milestone  pointing  backward  for  meditation,  pointing  forward  for 
inspiration. 

The  growth  of  Masonry  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  from  two 
hundred  to  nine  thousand,  arrests  attention,  invites  congratulation, 
and  inspires  optimism.  This  Order  in  our  District  has  a record  of 
which  it  is  proud,  a record  unmarred  and  unblemished,  and  written 
over  in  lines  of  healthy  growth.  Unlike  the  artist  or  the  artisan  who 
is  delighted  to  view  the  product  of  his  own  handiwork,  the  teacher, 
the  prophet,  the  educational  leader  of  a spiritual  institution  can 
only  have  a dream  image  of  the  product  of  his  spiritual  passion 
and  devotion. 

“What  Hath  Masonry  Wrought?”  cannot  be  answered  in  cold 
figures  and  with  mathematical  precision.  In  order  that  we  may  get 
the  proper  perspective,  I would  refer  you  to  a little  paraphrase,  so 
that  thereby  we  may  do  not  only  justice  to  our  beloved  Order,  but 
relieve  the  anxiety  of  other  great  institutions  of  usefulness  in  the 
world.  Longfellow  said : 

In  the  elder  days  of  Art 

Builders  wrought  with  greatest  care 
Each  minute  and  unseen  part ; 

For  the  gods  see  everywhere.” 

I take  the  liberty  of  adding  a paraphrase  of  my  own,  as  follows : 

In  the  modern  day  of  strife 
Man  has  no  greater  care 
Than  to  rear  the  temple  Life; 

For  we  see  God  everywhere. 

In  his  constructive  task  no  greater  inspiration  came  to  the  Greek 
artist  than  the  consciousness  that  the  work  he  had  to  perform 
should  be  of  such  a character  that  it  should  win  the  approval  of 
the  omniscient  Eye  of  the  Deity.  I am  looking  backward  to  the  con- 
structive thought  of  Life  entertained  by  the  Hebrew  prophets.  No 
greater  inspiration  came  to  the  Greek  artist  than  his  consciousness 
of  the  presence  and  the  beauty  of  God  in  the  universe.  To  him 
God  was  one,  and,  being  one,  He  need  not  be  formed  in  stone  or 
wood ; and,  being  one,  He  was  everywhere,  and  everywhere  made 
his  Fatherhood  and  His  presence  felt. 

These  two  complementary  conceptions  are  being  adorned  today 
and  filled  in  by  the  progressive  spirit  of  our  epoch.  The  idea  is, 
therefore,  growing  strong  that  it  is  the  temple  of  humanity  which 
is  being  reared  and  which  men  have  dreamed  of  since  the  earliest 


30 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


times — aye,  from  the  dawn  of  history.  It  is  a temple  beautiful, 
because  God  sees  us;  a temple  universal,  because  we  see  God  and 
His  presence  manifest  in  it. 

Sometimes  men  have  thought  that  this  temple  was  only  a Tower 
of  Babel  to  confound  God  and  confuse  the  heavens.  At  other  times 
men  have  thought  it  was  a pyramid,  with  the  great  mass  of 
humanity  at  its  base.  At  other  times  men  have  said  it  was  a cathe- 
dral, a synagogue,  a mosque,  wherein  were  reflected  the  special  and 
privileged  manifestations  of  Jehovah.  But  slowly  the  conviction  is 
growing  passionate  more  and  more  that  the  temple  of  mankind 
which  is  being  reared  is  builded  of  all  ages,  of  all  men,  of  all 
creeds,  and  of  all  cults.  Let  no  one  sect,  no  school,  no  creed,  no 
cult,  argue  as  to  whose  work  is  the  most  acceptable  in  the  eyes  of 
God.  No  one  of  them  has  a monopoly  of  this  work.  All  are 
builders  of  this  splendid  edifice.  No  man,  then,  shall  say  whose 
work  is  more  appreciated  in  the  eyes  of  God.  Let  each  institution 
and  every  worker  therein  remember  that  if  he  sees  God  in  his 
endeavors,  God  sees  him ; let  all  remember  that  if  we  see  God,  God 
sees  us  and  our  work,  and  He  smiles  and  passes  judgment. 

Now,  What  Hath  Masonry  Wrought?  Masonry  hath  wrought 
for  religion.  It  has  increased  the  number  of  Jehovah’s  worshipers. 
It  has  strengthened  the  faith  of  believers  to  hold  fast  to  the  throne 
of  God  and  enabled  many  to  do  so  who  would  otherwise  have 
slipped  the  tether  of  the  Church.  Religion  is  one  thing,  and 
Masonry  something  else;  but  the  Church  ought  to  be  very  proud  to 
accept  every  additional  moral  stimulus  among  God’s  worshipers. 

Masonry  has  been  fortunate  in  that  it  has  escaped  the  pitfalls  of 
sectarianism  and  has  been  spared  the  fanaticism  which  official 
religion  often  begets.  It  has  inflamed  no  unholy  passions.  It  has 
formed  a bridge  over  which  men  of  differing  creeds  might  come  to- 
gether and  grasp  one  another’s  hands.  Standing  firmly  on  the  Bible 
and  preaching  immortality,  no  time  has  been  wasted  in  disputes 
of  Bible  criticism,  nor  on  the  exclusive  pathway  to  Heaven  and 
salvation.  No  heresy  trials  have  been  inaugurated  by  it,  no  inquisi- 
tional fires  have  been  lit  in  its  name.  Fraternal  differences  as  to 
doctrine,  with  religious  liberty,  form  a Masonic  platform  so  broad 
that  upon  it  all  men  can  stand  and  work  together  without  a sacrifice 
of  religious  scruples.  Masonry  has  no  quarrel  with  any  religion,  no 
quarrel  as  to  Biblical  criticism  or  exclusive  pathway  to  Heaven. 
It  wages  perpetual  war  on  superstition,  intolerance  and  ignorance. 

Masonry  takes  itself  seriously  as  an  ethical  and  religious  principle. 
Its  call  is  not  the  call  of  the  world,  but  the  call  of  the  brother  in 
the  name  of  a common  God. 


OF  THE  GRAND  EODGE,  E.  A.  A.  M. 


31 


Masonry  hath  wrought  for  wisdom.  The  mind,  no  less  than  the 
heart,  can  see  what  God  hath  wrought.  The  pleasures  of  intellect 
and  the  exercise  of  reason  find  in  Masonry  a wholesome  dwelling 
place.  In  the  Lodge  there  is  hospitality  of  view.  Masonry  is  com- 
mitted to  intellectual  freedom,  and  it  engenders  a healthy  and 
wholesome  rationalism.  In  the  lodge  room  the  mind  feels  at  home, 
and  enjoys  intellectual  exhilaration  at  the  hearth  fires  of  reason  s 
glowing  activities.  Its  wondrous  imagery  in  its  ritual  feeds  the 
eye  and  stirs  the  imagination.  In  its  ritual  Oriental  mysticism  and 
Occidental  philosophy  find  a splendid  fellowship;  and  while  the 
mysticism  of  the  East  is  here  acclimatized  the  scholarship  of  the 
West  is  there  spiritualized. 

Masonry  hath  wrought  for  country  and  for  the  development  of 
that  political  sentiment  which  makes  citizenship  intelligent,  dignified 
and  serviceable  to  you ; and  patriotism  is  inasonically  congenial  and 
congenital.  The  champions  of  the  Compass  and  the  Square  have 
not  only  followed  the  flag,  but  have  stood  for  it  when  it  was  formed 
and  fashioned ; and  when  the  time  came,  they  picked  up  the  spur, 
the  spade,  the  javelin  and  staff  for  its  honor,  its  integrity  and  its 
beauty  in  many  a land. 

Masonry  desires  a democratic  form  of  government  for  its  luxuri- 
ant growth.  It  has  no  welcome  growth  in  Russia.  It  is  not  wedded 
to  any  one  scheme,  but  it  wages  war  forever  upon  anarchy,  upon 
inhumanity,  and  upon  disloyalty.  Do  you  want  any  stronger  proof 
of  the  inherent  Masonic  passion  for  country’s  good  than  the  very 
birth  of  the  Masonic  Grand  Lodges  of  our  country?  Do  you  know 
that  you  cannot  detach  the  history  of  our  Grand  Lodges  in  this 
land  from  American  sovereignty?  When  the  announcement  went 
forth  that  all  States  are  free  and  equal,  it  followed,  as  an  inevit- 
able conclusion,  that  all  American  Grand  Lodges  are  free  and  equal. 
When  the  shot  was  fired  that  was  “heard  round  the  world,”  Masonry 
begot  a new  birth  of  freedom. 

Masonry  would  gladly,  and  does,  enter  into  a triple  alliance  with 
the  Church  and  the  State  for  the  glory  of  our  country.  In  times 
of  peace  Masonry  is  a valuable  asset  to  every  community.  Masonry 
does  not,  and  will  not,  sell  itself  for  barter,  for  partisanship,  or  for 
sectionalism.  In  America  it  is  an  army  of  one  million  peace  lovers ; 
in  Canada,  of  four  hundred  thousand  peace  lovers.  Shall  there  not 
be  this  kind  of  reciprocity  between  one  million  lovers  of  peace  in 
the  United  States  and  four  hundred  thousand  lovers  of  peace  in 
Canada?  Shall  there  not  be  that  reciprocity  of  honest  hearts,  that 
reciprocity  of  loyal  hands,  and  the  reciprocity  of  brethren  across  the 
border  line? 


32 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


Far  more  than  that,  I would  say  that  Masonry  is  a republic  of 
moral  endeavor,  a republic  bounded  on  the  North  by  the  stately 
pines  of  integrity,  on  the  east  by  the  Statue  of  Liberty,  on  the  south 
by  the  long  Gulf  Stream  of  fraternity,  and  on  the  west  by  the 
Pacific  Ocean  of  harmony.  Should  political  ideals  ever  expand  into 
a federation  of  international  good  will,  what  better  example  to  fol- 
low, what  better  institution,  than  the  great  international  Order  that 
we  call  Masonry? 

Masonry  hath  wrought  for  personal  integrity  and  domestic  purity. 
Forgetting  questions  of  birth  and  love,  Masonry  invites  to  its  round 
table  the  Knights  of  the  White  Apron,  and  it  expects  that  the 
White  Apron  shall  embody  and  represent  cleanliness  of  spirit  and 
purity  of  soul.  When  Robert  Burns  sang 

The  rank  is  but  the  guinea’s  stamp, 

The  man’s  the  gowd  for  a‘  that, 

he  was  speaking  of  Masonry. 

Honor  for  self,  chivalry  for  woman,  fraternity  for  all.  Fifty 
years  ago  the  tick  of  the  Morse  telegraph  electrified  the  world  with 
the  eternal  question : What  Hath  God  W rought  ? and  since  then  two 
nations,  at  least,  have  been  welded  together  with  bands  of  interna- 
tional comity,  not  underground,  and  not  by  overhead  wires,  but  on 
the  level  and  along  the  cords  of  human  hearts  flashes  the  Masonic 
message  of  Confraternity. 

Masonry,  therefore,  is  part  of  the  big  brother  movement  in  a 
purely  social  and  philanthropic  way.  Who  shall  count  the  numbers 
of  widows  and  orphans  helped,  the  numbers  of  weak  hands  it  has 
strengthened?  Who  shall  count  the  number  of  corner-stones  into 
which  its  rite  has  poured  the  sacred  oil  when  the  stones  were 
squared  and  plumb-lined  by  truth  and  accuracy?  Who  shall  num- 
ber those  into  whose  yawning  graves  living  brothers  have  dropped 
the  fadeless  evergreen  of  memory  with  a prayer  that  when  those 
brothers  should  reach  the  Lodge  on  high  they  might  cross  the 
trestle-board  of  God’s  mighty  mastership  and  love? 

And  thus  has  Masonry  touched  men  in  every  walk  and  work  of 
life,  personal  and  political,  religious  and  social.  One  hundred  years 
of  Masonry  in  the  District  of  Columbia  lie  behind  us.  We 
have  no  apology  to  make,  no  explanation  to  offer.  Masonry  is  not 
perfect,  but  we  have  no  apology  to  present,  because  it  is  composed 
of  human  beings.  Proud  as  we  are  of  our  past,  we  look  forward  to 
the  future  with  high  and  abounding  hope.  O,  then,  brothers,  it  is 
for  you  and  those  who  shall  yet  come  after  us,  to  go  forward,  for- 


fgf7 

S-  G.  WARC>£N  / 

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Vv.  MUR' 
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-THOMAS  H yoUtf6 
G‘  L£,CTURER 


ftUSSELL  VERBRVC^ 
G.  CHAPLAIN 


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CENTENNIAL,  CELEBRATION. 


35 


ward  with  energy,  forward  with  might,  forward  with  love,  forward 
in  God’s  name ; and  let  us  raise  our  voices  together  before  the 
throne  of  grace  and  say : 

May  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us, 

And  the  work  of  our  hands  do  Thou  firmly  establish  upon  us ; 

Yea,  the  work  of  our  hands,  do  Thou  firmly  establish  it. 

[Great  applause.] 

Brother  Wilson.  Through  the  ages  one  increasing  pur- 
pose runs ; and,  so,  through  Masonry  we  may  find  the  ever 
expanding  spirit  of  brotherhood  and  interdependence.  Our 
brother,  Rev.  Earle  Wilfley,  pastor  of  the  Vermont  Avenue 
Christian  Church,  will  now  address  us  upon  “The  Spirit  of 
the  Craft.” 


THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  CRAFT. 

By  Rev.  Earle  WieeeEy. 

Brethren  of  the  Craft,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : “In  the  beginning 

God  created  the  heaven  and  the  earth.”  Thus  wrote  the  ancient 
chronicler  of  transcendent  beginnings.  When,  where,  or  how  does 
not  concern  us  here;  but  the  most  stupendous  thought  that  can 
engage  the  human  mind  is  this : God,  the  Architect  of  the  Universe. 
Back  in  the  infinite  reaches  of  the  past  He  spread  the  measureless 
fields  of  suns  and  systems  and  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth. 
Back,  “when  the  morning  stars  sang  together  and  all  the  sons  of 
God  shouted  for  joy.”  Through  numberless  ages,  aeons  upon  aeons, 
He  has  worked  at  this  endless  task. 

In  the  vast  and  the  minute  we  see 

The  unambiguous  footsteps  of  the  God 

Who  gives  its  lustre  to  an  insect’s  wing 

And  wheels  His  throne  upon  the  rolling  worlds. 

In  vain  do  we  strive  to  enlarge  our  conceptions  of  things  beyond 
the  range  of  our  vision.  Yet  we  realize  that  what  we  see  is  only 
an  atom  in  the  unexplored  realm  of  physical  realities.  “It  is  an 
infinite  sphere  whose  centre  is  everywhere,  its  circumference  no- 
where.” 

And  this  Divine  Architect  is  still  working.  If  only  we  had  the 


36 


CENTENNIAL,  CEEEBRATION 


eyes  to  see  and  the  ears  to  hear,  perchance  we  might  behold  the 
Divine  plans  upon  the  trestle-board  and  hear  upon  the  mountains 
the  songs  of  the  workmen  amid  the  ceaseless  beating  of  many 
hammers.  Perchance  we  may  hear  them  now,  far  off,  while  the 
ceaseless  toil  of  divinity  and  humanity  goes  on,  while  the  gracious 
Grand  Master  of  the  universe  speaks  to  the  weary  craftsmen, 
“Come,  you  faithful  toilers,  come  from  labor  to  refreshment.” 

As  Jehovah  is  the  Architect  to  the  Universe,  so,  according  to  the 
legend  handed  down  to  us  through  many  channels,  Hiram,  whose 
name  and  fame  are  recorded  in  many  books  accessible  to  all  of 
you — Hiram,  the  Builder,  was  the  Architect  of  the  Temple  of  Solo- 
mon. What  a piece  of  work  was  that  which  crowned  the  brow  of 
Mount  Moriah  three  thousand  years  ago  ! 


Silently  as  a dream  the  fabric  rose; 

No  sound  of  hammer  or  of  saw  was  there. 


And  in  its  construction  were  combined  the  Wisdom  of  Solomon, 
the  Strength  of  Hiram  King  of  Tyre,  and  the  Beauty  of  Hiram  the 
Builder.  , 

This  illustrious  Grand  Master  has  been  for  all  time  the  model  for 
all  Master  Masons,  and  his  spirit  is  the  spirit  of  the  Craft.  All 
other  legends  undergo  changes  from  time  to  time,  but  this  legend 
of  Hiram  the  Temple  Builder  has  endured  through  all  the  centuries. 
His  benign  personality  has  been  among  the  choicest  traditions  of 
the  best  creeds  of  human  kind.  The  story  itself  is  one  of  surpassing 
beauty.  Being  chosen  by  Solomon  and  the  Tyrian  king  to  superin- 
tend the  building  of  the  Temple,  he  at  once  put  into  effect  a most 
exact  system  of  discipline  for  his  workmen.  No  point  or  phase  of 
the  work  was  left  untouched  by  his  masterful  hand.  And  for  him- 
self the  most  rigid  mode  of  conduct  was  observed.  His  blameless 
life,  his  exalted  character,  his  tragic  death  and  his  burial  at  last 
amid  universal  lamentation  make  up  a story  of  profoundest  interest. 

This  legend  is  but  a picture  of  human  life.  Man  is  the  temple  of 
God’s  spirit,  and  deep  in  our  heart  of  hearts  is  the  Holy  of  Holies 
of  our  lives,  and  the  killing  of  the  Grand  Master  in  the  Temple, 
while  about  his  Master’s  business,  is  like  the  slaying  of  virtues  and 
tender  emotions  in  the  sanctum  sanctorum  of  our  own  hearts. 

Ah,  yes,  friends,  this  is  the  tragedy  of  life,  that  the  good,  the 
true,  and  the  beautiful  sometimes  perish  when  least  expected,  and 
the  song  of  the  builders  is  succeeded  by  the  wail  of  the  mourners. 
It  is  as  when  one  wanders  through  the  fragrant  forest,  listening  to 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


37 


the  chorus  of  feathered  songsters ; let  but  the  shadow  of  a hawk 
fall  across  the  woodland,  and  every  silvery  note  is  stifled,  every  song 
is  hushed,  and  deathly  stillness  reigns.  Against  the  most  devoted 
lives  the  hand  of  ruthless  murder  is  sometimes  raised.  Into  the 
purest  heart  the  shadow  of  evil  sometimes  falls.  Upon  the  fairest 
form  the  withering  hand  of  death  must  at  last  be  laid.  No  shrine 
so  sacred,  no  office  so  holy,  no  life  so  beautiful,  but  it  is  invaded 
by  the  grim  Reaper  the  swish  of  whose  scythe  is  like  the  cleaving 
cf  a world. 


Eyes,  look  your  last ! 

Arms,  take  your  last  embrace ! and  lips,  O you 
The  doors  of  breath,  seal  with  a righteous  kiss 
A dateless  bargain  to  engrossing  death. 

But  this  is  not  the  whole  story.  If  this  were  all,  then  indeed  life 
would  hardly  be  worth  the  living.  No  light  in  the  darkness,  no  hope 
in  the  gloom — only  the  sighing  wind,  the  moaning  sea,  the  stifled 
sob  and  the  cry  of  pain  to  answer  the  consuming  hunger  of  our 
hearts  ! To  look  upon  the  dead  and  the  dying,  to  wander  among  the 
silent  cities  of  eternal  sleepers,  helpless  and  hopeless,  breathing 
through  tremulous  lips  the  piteous  question  of  a despairing  world, 
“If  a man  die  shall  he  live  again?”  only  to  hear  in  every  breeze  and 
read  on  every  cloud  and  leaf  and  flower  a sinister  and  somber 
answer  to  mock  our  anguish. 

But  our  noble  Fraternity  has  an  answer  to  this  world  question. 
Upon  every  Mason  at  the  beginning  of  his  career  are  impressed  two 
facts,  God  and  Immortality.  Here  and  there  in  the  ancient  rites 
and  mysteries  “this  hope  shone  like  a beacon  in  the  gloom  of  Pagan 
darkness.”  Great  and  good  men  of  all  nations  and  all  times  have 
lived  in  this  hope,  have  been  guided  by  this  beacon,  and  this  Ma- 
sonry speaks,  unequivocally  to  man  in  unison  with  reason  and  reve- 
lation, Thou  Art  Immortal ! 

Modern  Masonry  has  had  a glorious  career.  During  the  middle 
ages  it  placed  its  sign  and  seal  upon  abbey,  palace  and  cathedral. 
In  more  modern  times  it  has  touched  with  grace  and  beauty  the 
tender  virtues  of  mercy  and  kindness.  Its  ministrations  have  been 
generous  and  its  influence  wholesome.  Its  blessings  have  been  felt 
in  every  nation,  language  and  creed,  and  from  its  altars  constantly 
arise  the  incense  of  a prayerful  life. 

In  a high  degree  it  exemplifies  the  spirit  of  brotherhood.  The 
first  murderer,  in  reply  to  the  question  of  the  Creator,  “Where  is 


38 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


thy  brother  Cain?”  answered  with  a cynical  question,  “Am  I my 
brother’s  keeper?”  But  this  noble  Fraternity  has  changed  that 
reply,  and  to  all  the  world  proclaims,  “I  am  my  brother’s  keeper.” 

In  working  out  this  Divine  principle  each  individual  is  brought 

nearer  to  the  Universal  Father.  Thus,  following  after  the  benefi- 
cent and  glorious  deeds  of  the  Creator  of  all  things,  the  true  Mason 
becomes  the  architect  of  character,  the  most  Godlike  structure  that 
can  be  reared  by  man.  Character,  the  currency  of  the  universe,  the 
key  to  all  noble  achievement,  the  untarnishable  crown,  the  imperish- 
able treasure;  character,  when  the  world  has  been  resolved  into  its 
primal  elements  and  the  Heavens  rolled  up  as  a scroll — character 

shall  stand  pure  and  eternal  as  the  very  life  of  God  Himself.  So 

speaks  the  Spirit  of  Masonry. 

We  have  an  aim  which  cannot  be  miscast, 

Its  object  is  the  good  of  human  kind, 

To  draw  our  fellows  from  misguided  past, 

And  place  them  where  a future  they  may  find. 

Regardless  of  all  our  enemies  may  say, 

Heedless  of  what  their  envy  bids  them  do, 

We’ll  still  press  on  our  world’s  enlightening  way, 

And  bring  a true  nobility  to  view. 

Masonry  is  a “system  of  morality,  veiled  in  allegory,  and  illus- 
trated by  symbols.”  There  is  in  Masonry  no  symbol  more  signifi- 
cant than  that  of  Light.  In  all  religions  and  sacred  oracles  light  has 
been  considered  as  representing  the  highest  human  good.  It  has  a 
magic  and  charm  all  its  own.  It  is  potent  and  eloquent  with  possi- 
bilities of  blessing. 

In  the  beginning,  when  the  earth  was  without  form  and  void, 
when  night  and  chaos  brooded  over  the  world,  there  came  forth  the 
first  mandate  of  Omnipotence,  “Let  there  be  Light !”  In  the 
Heavens  the  Creator  hung  the  majestic  lamp  of  day,  and  from  his 
fingers  flung  the  myriads  of  stars  out  into  infinite  space.  “The  first 
creation  of  God  in  the  works  of  the  days  was  the  Light  of  Sense ; 
the  last  was  the  Light  of  Reason ; and  His  Sabbath-work  ever  since 
is  the  illumination  of  the  spirit.”  Light,  Light,  more  Light,  is  what 
this  world  needs ; Light  to  guide  us  along  the  King’s  highway ; 
Light  to  pour  down  upon  us  in  the  gloom  of  despair,  to  guide  us 
through  the  darkness  of  the  night ; Light  do  we  need  and  for  this 
we  pray  earnestly,  that  our  eyes  may  be  opened,  that  our  spirits 
may  be  illuminated,  that  into  our  poor  hearts,  desolate  and  destitute, 
refulgent  rays  of  the  Divine  sun  may  pour  like  God’s  eternal  spirit 
until  all  the  dark  continents  of  human  ignorance  are  opened,  until 


OF  THF  GRAND  LODGE),  F.  A.  A.  M. 


39 


all  the  highways  of  intellectual  darkness  are  opened,  and,  under  one 
God,  and  guided  by  His  spirit,  we  shall  march,  amid  the  breaking 
of  millennial  dawn,  in  its  paths  of  righteousness  and  of  peace. 


Thou  whose  Almighty  word 
Chaos  and  darkness  heard, 
And  took  their  flight, 

Move  o’er  the  waters’  face 
By  Thy  Almighty  grace, 

And  in  earth’s  darkest  place 
Let  there  be  Light ! 


Thou  who  didst  come  to  bring, 
On  Thy  redeeming  wing, 
Healing  and  sight, 

Health  to  the  sick  in  mind, 
Sight  to  the  inly  blind, 

O now  to  all  mankind 
Let  there  be  Light ! 


Holy  and  Blessed  Three, 

Glorious  Trinity — 

Wisdom,  Love,  Might — 
Boundless  as  ocean’s  tide 
Rolling  in  fullest  pride, 
Through  the  earth  far  and  wide, 
Let  there  be  Light ! 


[Great  applause.] 

Brother  Wilson.  Our  Senior  Grand  Deacon,  Brother 
William  W.  Jermane,  has  written  for  this  occasion  the  Cen- 
tennial Hymn,  which  you  will  find  on  the  third  page  of  the 
program.  This  will  be  sung  by  the  congregation  to  the  tune 
of  ‘'Federal  Street,”  Brother  Foster  leading  us. 

CENTENNIAL  HYMN. 


By  WirriAM  W.  JLrmanE. 

I. 

Supreme  Grand  Master,  in  Thy  name, 
We  come,  as  those  before  us  came, 
And  at  the  throne  of  Grace  we  ask 
For  strength  for  each  unfolding  task. 


40 


CENTENNIAL,  CELEBRATION 


II. 

Our  fathers  worshipped  at  this  shrine, 

And  sought  to  make  their  purpose  Thine ; 

We  reverently  ask  that  Thou, 

Who  guided  them,  wilt  guide  us  now. 

III. 

Our  ancient  Craft  protect  and  bless ; 

Establish  it  in  righteousness; 

And  make  the  era  just  begun 
Far  nobler  than  the  closing  one. 

IV. 

So  shall  we  sound  our  Maker’s  praise, 

And  walk  in  His  appointed  ways, 

And  all  mankind  rejoice  to  see 
The  beauty  of  our  ministry. 

Brother  Wilson.  All  remain  standing.  Our  Brother,  the 
Rev.  J.  Henning  Nelms,  Assistant  Grand  Chaplain,  rector 
of  the  Pro-Cathedral  Church  of  the  Ascension,  will  offer 
the  closing  prayer. 

CEOSING  PRAYER. 

By  Rev.  J.  Henning  Neems. 

Almighty  God,  Our  Heavenly  Father,  we  thank  Thee  for  the 
blessed  privilege  of  calling  Thee  Our  Father.  We  are  so  apt 
to  look  upon  Thee  as  the  Great  Creator  of  the  Universe,  so  far 
above  us  and  beyond  us,  beyond  our  highest  aspirations  or 
holiest  thought,  that  we  cannot  come  near  enough  to  Thee  to 
be  heard.  We  are  so  apt  to  think  of  Thee  as  the  Great  Ruler 
of  Things,  driving  us  and  all  material  things  onward  and  ever 
onward  to  some  destiny,  fixed  and  certain,  in  which  we  have  no 
part  or  lot.  But  Thou  hast  told  us,  by  Thy  Beloved  Son,  to 
come  to  Thee  as  our  Father.  And  so,  just  as  little  children 
stand  on  tiptoe  to  lift  the  latch  that  opens  the  door  to  Thy 
great  loving  heart  we  come  to  ask  for  more  light  to  see  clearly, 
for  more  strength  to  follow  closely,  for  more  love  to  live  like 
Thy  Son. 

We  thank  Thee  for  the  blessed  privilege  of  this  hour.  We 
thank  Thee  for  the  fraternal  spirit  that  brought  us  here,  that 
spirit  which  has  endured  through  so  many  centuries  of  darkness, 
superstition  and  error.  We  thank  Thee  that  Thou  hast  brought 
us  together  here  today  in  the  spirit  of  brotherly  love. 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


41 


We  ask  that  Thou  wilt  let  Thy  richest  blessing  rest  upon  all 
gathered  here  and  upon  all  we  love.  We  ask  Thee  to  deepen 
in  our  hearts  the  sense  of  the  brotherhood  of  man  that  finds 
itself  lost  in  the  Eternal  Fatherhood  of  God.  May  our  Craft 
stand  not  only  for  such  brotherhood  within  the  limits  of  the 
Lodge,  but  spread  its  arms  to  the  pure  and  good  and  to 
the  home;  and  may  it  stand  for  that  universal  brotherhood  that 
reaches  out  to  all  mankind,  not  stopping  at  the  fortunate,  the 
strong,  and  the  good,  but  reaching  down  to  uplift  the  frail, 
the  fallen,  and  the  outcast.  Deepen  this  affection  in  our  hearts, 
and  strengthen  it  in  our  lives,  until  it  may  become  a very  real, 
earnest  and  practical  truth  in  the  experience  of  every  member 
of  the  Craft. 

May  our  Craft  stand  not  simply  for  the  purity  of  our  own 
homes  and  the  homes  of  our  brethren,  but  for  the  purity  of 
the  homes  of  all  Thy  children  everywhere.  O,  our  Father,  may 
the  white  aprons  we  wear  stand  for  cleanliness  and  purity  in 
deed,  in  word,  and  in  thought  in  our  lives. 

Watch  over  us  and  care  for  us.  We  ask  it  all  in  His  dear 
name  Who  taught  us,  when  we  pray,  to  say : 

Our  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  hallowed  be  Thy  name ; Thy 
kingdom  come,  Thy  will  be  done,  on  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven. 
Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread,  and  forgive  us  our  trespasses  as 
we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us ; and  lead  us  not  into 
temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil,  for  Thine  is  the  kingdom, 
and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  forever  and  ever.  Amen ! 

The  Lord  bless  and  keep  you ; the  Lord  make  His  face  to 
shine  upon  and  be  gracious  unto  you;  the  Lord  lift  up  His  coun- 
tenance upon  you  and  give  you  peace  now  and  for  evermore. 
Amen ! 


The  assembly  then  dispersed. 


JOHN 


LENDER  ^ 

I G-  A^ARSH^u  A 


lv.  W.  j£Rm^ne 


3.  HEA/A//;V  ggf 

aSST'  <5  tS.^ELMS  i 

; ^ PLAIN  “.! 


JAjM9  WITTE.N 


SPECIAL  COMMUNICATION 

OF 


GRAND  LODGE 
FEBRUARY  TWENTIETH,  1911. 


Special  Communication 


Washington,  D.  C.,  February  20,  1911. 

A special  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  F.A.A.M., 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  was  held  at  Masonic  Temple, 
corner  of  Thirteenth  street  and  New  York  avenue  northwest, 
at  10.30  o’clock  a.  m.  on  the  above  date. 


PRESENT. 

OFFICERS. 


Bro.  J.  CLAUDE  KEIPER Grand  Master 

BEN  W.  MURCH Deputy  Grand  Master 

“ CHARLES  E.  BALDWIN Senior  Grand  Warden 

“ T.  JOHN  NEWTON Junior  Grand  Warden 

“ ARVINE  W.  JOHNSTON Grand  Secretary 

“ JAMES  A.  SAMPLE Grand  Treasurer 

“ THOMAS  H.  YOUNG Grand  Lecturer 

“ J.  RUSSELL  VERBRYCICE Grand  Chaplain 

“ ALEXANDER  GRANT Grand  Marshal 

“ WILLIAM  W.  JERMANE Senior  Grand  Deacon 

“ JAMES  W.  WITTEN Junior  Grand  Deacon 

“ LEM.  TOWERS,  Jr ...Grand  Sword  Bearer 

“ JOSEPH  H.  MILANS Grand  Pursuivant 

“ J.  HARRY  CUNNINGHAM Senior  Grand  Steward 

“ CHARLES  J.  O’NEILL Junior  Grand  Steward 

“ WARREN  C.  BICKFORD Grand  Tiler 


PAST  GRAND  MASTERS. 


Myron  M.  Parker. 
Harrison  Dingman. 
James  A.  Sample. 

L.  Cabell  Williamson. 
Henry  S.  Merrill. 
George  W.  Baird. 
Matthews  Trimble. 


Harry  Standiford. 
James  A.  Wetmore. 
Lurtin  R.  Ginn. 
Francis  J.  Woodman. 
Augustus  B.  Coolidge. 
Henry  K.  Simpson. 
George  C.  Ober. 


PAST  JUNI0N  GRAND  WARDEN. 

George  E.  Corson. 

PAST  GRAND  SECRETARY. 

Charles  W.  Hancock. 


48 


CENTENNIAL,  CELEBRATION 


REPRESENTATIVES  and  past  masters. 


No.  i. — Wm.  A.  Harries,  M. 

No.  3. — Robert  F.  Mentzel,  proxy 
for  M. 

J.  Claude  Keiper,  P.  M. 

No.  4. — Kenton  N.  Harper,  P.  M. 

No.  5. — Abram  S.  McCoy,  S.  W. 

No.  7. — Blair  McKenzie,  M. 

Thos.  S.  Sergeon,  S.  W. 

No.  9. — Geo.  W.  Kennedy,  S.  W. 

Harrison  Dingman,  P.  M. 

No.  10. — A.  B.  Douglass,  J.  W. 

No.  11. — Chas.  W.  Hancock,  P.  M. 
Harry  Standiford,  P.  M. 

No.  12. — John  M.  Jones,  J.  W. 

T.  John  Newton,  P.  M. 

No.  14. — Jas.  T.  McClenahan,  M. 

Wallace  Streater,  S.  W. 
Emmett  C.  Elmore,  P.  M. 

No.  15.  Martin  R.  Speelman,  M. 
Arthur  W.  Davidson, 
proxy  for  S.  W. 

Eeslie  Cramer,  J.  W. 
Myron  M.  Parker,  P.  M. 
James  A.  Sample,  P.  M. 
James  A.  Wetmore,  P.  M. 

No.  16.— Thos.  W.  Bramhall,  S.  W. 
B.  F.  Larcombe,  Jr.,  P.M. 

No.  17. — Robert  H.  Young,  S.  W. 
Geo.  E.  Corson,  P.  M. 
Lurtin  R.  Ginn,  P.  M. 

No.  18.— Chas.  J.  O’Neill,  P.  M. 

No.  19. — John  R.  Wright,  M. 

Henry  S.  Merrill,  P.  M. 
Aug.  B.  Coolidge,  P.  M. 


Luther  F.  Speer,  P.  M. 

Frank  B.  Curtis,  P.  M. 
Jacobus  S.  Jones,  P.  M. 

George  C.  Ober,  P.  M. 

Lem.  Towers,  Jr.,  P.  M. 

Thos.  H.  Young,  P.  M. 
Henry  K.  Simpson,  P.  M. 

Chas.  C.  Coombs,  P.  M. 

Wm.  McNeir,  P.  M. 

Warren  C.  Bickford,  P.  M. 

Jos.  H.  Milans,  P.  M. 

Lafayette  Leaman,  P.  M. 

Walter  B.  Pettus,  P.  M. 
James  W.  Witten,  P.  M. 

Alex.  Grant,  P.  M. 

E.  St.  Clair  Thompson,  P.  M, 
James  T.  Gibbs,  P.  M. 
Andrew  Wilson,  P.  M. 

Wm.  Hart  Dexter,  P.  M. 
Henry  E.  Bittinger,  P.  M. 

Samuel  R.  Bond,  P.  M. 

Claud  H.  Woodward,  P.  M. 

Arvine  W.  Johnston,  P.  M. 
Wallace  C.  Babcock,  P.  M. 
Louis  D.  Carman,  P.  M. 

Jacob  H.  Lichliter,  P.  M. 

Wm.  H.  Wanamaker,  P.  M. 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


49 


No.  20. — Rudolph  B.  Behrend,  M. 
Geo.  W.  Baird,  P.  M. 
Clarence  Lewis,  P.  M. 

No.  21. — Wilbur  H.  Lawrence,  M. 

Samuel  E.  Shields,  P.  M. 

No.  22. — Wm.  H.  Griffin,  M. 

Charles  Becker,  P.  M. 

No.  23. — Wm.  W.  Jermane,  P.  M. 

No.  24. — Clifford  A.  Borden,  M. 

No.  25. — John  N.  Sterzer,  M. 

No.  26 

No.  27 

No.  28 

No.  29 

No.  30. — Not  represented. 

No.  31.— Martin  L.  Statler,  M. 

Chas.  E.  Sayles,  P.  M. 

No.  32. — Matthew  Trimble,  P.  M. 

No.  33. — -Richard  C.  Lewis,  M. 


J.  Harry  Cunningham,  P.  M. 
Allan  R.  Searle,  P.  M. 

Charles  J.  James,  P.  M. 

Ben  W.  Murch,  P.  M. 

Jacob  W.  Collins,  P.  M. 
Angus  Lamond,  P.  M. 


John  Lane  Johns,  P.  M. 
Claude  F.  King,  P.  M. 


— L.  Cabell  Williamson,  P.M.  Wm.  Montgomery,  P.  M. 
— J.  Eldridge  Burns,  P.M.  John  A.  Moyer,  P.  M. 
—Chas.  E.  Baldwin,  P.  M.  Moses  D.  Mull,  P.  M. 

— Francis  J.  Woodman,  P.  M.  Otis  J.  Eddy,  P.  M. 


The  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  ample  form. 

The  Grand  Chaplain.  Brother  the  Rev.  J.  Russell  Ver 
brycke,  delivered  the  following  invocation: 


Almighty  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  lift  our  hearts  in  grati- 
tude to  Thee  for  Thy  divine  love,  and  the  kind  Providence  which 
has  led  us  thus  far  through  our  lives.  We  humbly  beseech  Thee  to 
bless  this  communication.  May  Thy  blessing  rest  upon  all  the 
members  of  this  Grand  Lodge  and  upon  all  the  members  of  the  con- 
stituent Lodges  of  this  jurisdiction.  And  may  those  principles 
which  have  ever  tended  to  bind  our  hearts  together  in  brotherly 
love,  and  in  our  social  relations,  tend  to  cement  us  together  more 
strongly  in  those  bonds  which  make  toward  true  friendship  and 
true  charity. 

Guide  us  and  protect  us.  We  thank  Thee  that  our  institution 


50 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


rests  upon  the  Holy  Bible — Thy  Word ; and  we  pray  Thee  to 
enable  us  to  live  so  consistently  before  Thee  that,  when  we  shall 
have  finished  our  mission  here  below,  we  may  receive  that  welcome, 
“Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy 
of  Thy  Lord.” 

We  ask  pardon  for  our  sins  in  the  name  of  Him  who  is  worthy 
to  receive  all  praise  and  adoration,  world  without  end.  Amen. 

The  Grand  Master  spoke  as  follows : 

I wish  to  extend  the  greetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  this  goodly 
assemblage  of  the  Past  Grand  Masters  of  this  jurisdiction,  and  to 
say  for  myself  and  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  for  all 
those  members  who  are  here  assembled  to  assist  in  these  Centennial 
ceremonies,  that  we  take  it  as  a great  compliment  that  these 
brethren  should  have  met  with  us  this  morning.  Past  Grand 
Masters  Parker,  Dingman,  Sample,  Williamson,  Merrill,  Trimble, 
Standi  ford,  Ginn,  Wetmore,  Woodman,  Coolidge,  Simpson  and 
Ober,  to  whom  the  craft  in  this  jurisdiction  look  with  respect  and 
whom  they  honor,  I thank  you  personally  for  your  attendance  here, 
and  hope  you  may  live  long  to  let  the  light  of  your  wisdom  and 
experience  shine  on  the  Fraternity  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 

It  has  been  arranged  that  the  visiting  Grand  Masters  and  Past 
Grand  Masters  shall  be  received  in  accordance  with  our  custom  by 
a committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

I see  that  Past  Grand  Master  Nichols,  of  Texas,  is  here  now, 
and  I take  pleasure  in  including  him  in  my  list  of  those  to 
whom  we  desire  to  render  honor.  I was  unaware  of  his  presence, 
and  I assure  him  we  are  delighted  to  have  him  with  us. 

Past  Grand  Master  Nichols  thanked  the  Grand  Master  for 
the  compliment  extended.  He  then  presented  to  the  Grand 
Secretary  a souvenir  postal  card,  having  some  verses  on 
“Masonry,”  which  he  thought  should  be  emblazoned  on  the 
portals  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Master:  I will  now  appoint  a committe  of  Past 

Grand  Masters  to  act  as  a committee  of  escort  and  reception, 
and  I select  the  oldest  three  in  point  of  service,  Myron  M. 
Parker,  Harrison  Dingman  and  James  A.  Sample.  The  com- 
mittee will  retire  and  satisfy  themselves  that  the  brethren  seek- 
ing admission  are  Master  Masons,  and  then  duly  introduce 
them. 


OF  THF  GRAND  FODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


51 


The  committee  then  retired  to  enter  upon  the  performance 
of  their  duties. 

M.  E.  Moses  D.  Mull,  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
being  present,  was  greeted  by  the  Grand  Master  as  follows  : 

Grand  High  Priest  Moses  D.  Mull : I recognize  you  as  the 

head  of  Capitular  Masonry  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  and 
express  to  you  on  behalf  of  the  brethren  the  pleasure  which 
your  presence  gives  us  as  the  representative  of  the  body  of  which 
you  are  the  efficient  head.  You  are  invited  to  a seat  in  the 
East. 

R.  E.  Sir  George  C.  Ober,  Grand  Commander  of  the 
Grand  Commandery  of  Knights  Templar  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  was  welcomed  by  the  Grand  Master  as 
follows : 

Grand  Commander  George  C.  Ober : It  gives  me  pleasure  to 

greet  you  as  the  official  head  of  the  Knights  Templar  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  and,  in  welcoming  you  to  this  special  communication, 
to  express  the  regard  which  we  entertain  for  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery and  its  officers.  I shall  be  glad  to  have  you  seated  in  the 
East. 

Past  Master  Richard  Taylor,  of  Mt.  Horeb  Lodge,  No. 
2 8,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  was  introduced,  and  welcomed  by  the 
Grand  Master. 

The  Grand  Master  then  declared  the  Grand  Lodge  at 
recess. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  duly  called  to  order  after  a short 
recess,  when  the  following  visitors  were  introduced  by  the 
special  committee : 

M.  W.  Henry  L.  Ballou,  Grand  Master  of  Vermont. 

M.  W.  Henry  S.  Bridges,  Grand  Master  of  New  Brunswick 

M.  W.  James  R.  Johnson,  Grand  Master  of  South  Caro- 
lina. 

M.  W.  Randolph  B.  Chapman,  Grand  Master  of  Connecti- 
cut. 


library 

university 


OF  ILLINOIS 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


52 


M.  W.  Richard  N.  Hackett,  Grand  Master  of  North 
Carolina. 

M.  W.  John  J.  Hull,  Grand  Master  of  North  Dakota. 

M.  W.  Wyndham  Stokes,  Grand  Master  of  West  Virginia. 

M.  W.  John  M.  Carter,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Maryland. 

M.  W.  Frank  E.  Harrison,  Past  Grand  Master  of  South 
Carolina. 

M.  W.  Frank  W.  Havens,  Past  Grand  Master  (and  present 
Grand  Secretary)  of  Connecticut. 

R.  W.  George  A.  Beauchamp,  Grand  Secretary  of  Ala- 
bama. 

The  visitors  were  received  with  the  grand  honors  and 
welcomed  by  the  Grand  Master  as  follows : 

I fear  that  any  attempt  which  I might  make  to  express  to  you 
the  pleasure  and  satisfaction  which  your  presence  affords  us 
on  this  occasion  would  fall  far  short  of  the  expectations  of  my 
brothers  here  assembled.  I also  fear  that  the  impression  which 
you  might  derive  from  them  would  be  inadequate  in  comparison 
with  what  we  wish  might  be  conveyed  to  your  minds  as  to  the 
satisfaction,  the  rejoicing  and  the  pleasure  which  we  all  exper- 
ience in  that  you  have  seen  fit  to  come  from  your  far-off  juris- 
dictions to  help  us  in  commemorating  an  event  which  is  in 
our  eyes  so  momentous  and  so  auspicious. 

There  is  a pleasing  thought  always  in  a ceremony  of  this  kind, 
and  that  is  the  devotion  which  induces  man  to  abandon  his  every- 
day affairs  and  gather  around  a Masonic  altar  for  the  purpose  of 
showing,  by  participation  in  the  ceremonies  then  in  course  of  con- 
duct, that  he  appreciates  the  principles  of  the  order  which  have 
been  deeply  imbedded  in  his  heart.  As  we  are  here  celebrating 
today  the  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  we  take  it  as  a distinct  compli- 
ment from  you,  and  the  jurisdictions  you  represent,  that  you  have 
come  here  to  assist  us. 

Later  in  our  communication  you  will  be  afforded  an  oppor- 
tunity to  give  a message  to  your  brethren  here  assembled.  In 
the  meantime  I shall  ask  the  committee  to  escort  you  to  the 
East. 

The  visitors  were  then  escorted  to  seats  in  the  East. 


OF  THF  GRAND  FODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


53 


A selection,  “Oh,  God,  Most  Holy,”  was  then  rendered  by 
the  Centennial  Choir. 

The  Grand  Master  called  upon  Brother  E.  St.  Clair 
Thompson,  chairman  of  the  Centennial  Committee,  to  make 
the  announcements  in  regard  to  the  reponses  to  the  invi- 
tations which  had  been  received. 

Brother  Thompson  spoke  as  follows : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  on  behalf  of  the  Centennial 
Committee  I wish  to  announce  that  invitations  were  extended 
to  all  the  Grand  Masters  of  all  the  Grand  Lodges  with  which 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  is  in  affiliation. 
We  have  favorable  responses  from  twelve  of  these  jurisdictions, 
represented  on  this  occasion  by  seventeen  brethren,  Grand 
Masters  and  Past  Grand  Masters  of  those  jurisdictions.  Up  to 
date  we  have  received  replies  announcing  the  inability  of  the 
brethren  receiving  invitations  to  be  present,  and  extending  the 
congratulations  of  themselves  and  their  bodies  to  this  Grand 
Lodge  and  the  brethren,  as  follows:  From  Arizona,  Canada, 

England,  Florida,  Georgia,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Louisiana,  Manitoba, 
Massachusetts,  Montana,  Netherlands,  New  Mexico,  Nova  Scotia, 
Ohio,  Oregon,  Prince  Edward  Island;  a special  cablegram  from 
the  King  of  Sweden,  Grand  Master  of  that  Grand  Lodge;  Swiss 
Alpina,  and  Virginia. 

I have  also  received  letters  of  regret  from  Past  Grand  Masters 
Joseph  S.  McCoy  and  William  G.  Henderson,  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 

Brother  Thompson  then  moved  that  the  thanks  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  under  its  seal,  be  extended  to  all  other  than 
the  committee  who  had  gratuitously  contributed  by  their 
efforts  to  make  the  Centennial  ceremonies  a success. 

The  Grand  Master  spoke  as  follows : 

That  course  will  be  pursued.  I also  wish  to  have  entered  on 
the  records  of  this  communication,  at  this  time,  the  appreciation  of 
this  Grand  Lodge  for  the  services  rendered  by  Brother  Thompson, 
chairman  of  the  Centennial  Committee.  We  might  extend  the  pro- 
ceedings to  an  indefinite  length  and  still  not  do  full  justice  to  the 
work  which  this  brother  has  done ; and  it  is  in  accordance  with  my 
desire  that  a formal  record  shall  be  made  in  the  Proceedings  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  that  I refer  to  it  at  this  time.  I extend  to  him  the 


54 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


thanks  of  the  brethren  and  my  own  thanks  for  his  work  and  for 
the  many  courtesies  shown  me  in  connection  with  this  celebration. 

The  Grand  Master  then  made  the  following  address : 

Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  our  Distinguished  Brethren 
from  Other  Jurisdictions : After  a century  of  existence,  and  in 

commemoration  thereof,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  the  District  of  Columbia  meets  today  in  special  communi- 
cation. It  has  passed  the  one  hundredth  milestone  in  a career 
marked  by  honorable  endeavor  in  the  cause  of  our  Fraternity  and  of 
high-minded  effort  in  its  great  work  for  the  uplifting  and  better- 
ment of  that  portion  of  the  human  race  which,  -under  the  dispensa- 
tion of  Providence,  has  come  within  the  sphere  of  its  benign  influ- 
ence. 

Amid  the  mutations  of  human  life  and  affairs,  that  organization, 
whatsoever  its  character,  which  maintains  itself  with  an  unvarying 
record  for  high  achievement  for  a period  of  one  hundred  years,  may 
well  indulge  in  self-congratulation  as  it  celebrates  with  rejoicing  and 
appropriate  ceremony  an  event  so  fraught  with  importance  to  it  and 
one  which  not  only  speaks  eloquently  as  to  the  permanence  and  sub- 
stantial nature  of  its  foundations,  but  offers  indisputable  testimony 
to  the  correctness  of  its  principles  and  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of 
its  projectors. 

These  commemorative  ceremonies,  my  brethren,  are  therefore  actu- 
ated by  and  embody  a three-fold  purpose.  They  afford  us  an 
opportunity  for  the  expression  of  that  rejoicing  and  satisfaction 
which  fill  our  hearts  in  connection  with  this  occasion,  at  once  so 
momentous  and  auspicious.  They  offer  us  the  privilege  of  testify- 
ing our  loyalty  to  those  beneficent  principles  upon  which  our  Craft 
has  been  founded  and  by  the  observance  of  which  it  has  prospered, 
and  they  present  to  us  a means  of  signifying  our  unbounded  admira- 
tion and  our  undiminished  respect  for  those  revered  and  beloved 
brethren  who  in  the  early  days  of  this  Grand  Lodge  wrought  so 
efficiently  for  its  existence  and  its  welfare ; and  not  only  for  them, 
but  for  all  that  line  of  distinguished  Masons  who,  during  the  years 
that  have  since  elapsed,  preserved  so  zealously  and  so  faithfully  the 
standards  and  traditions  of  Freemasonry  and  transmitted  them 
from  generation  to  generation  in  all  their  purity  and  all  their 
integrity. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  me  and  it  is  not  my  purpose  to  recount  with 
any  degree  of  particularity  the  history  of  our  Grand  Lodge.  That 
will  be  done  ere  this  communication  is  brought  to  a close  by  our 


of  the;  grand  lodge;,  f.  a.  a.  m. 


00 


Historian.  It  is  sufficient  for  me  to  say  that  from  its  inception  at 
the  beginning  of  the  last  century  down  to  the  present  time  its  exist- 
ence has  been  replete  with  noteworthy  incidents,  and  its  record  has 
been  one  of  successful  endeavor  to  maintain  at  an  irreproachable 
standard  the  honor,  the  dignity  and  the  reputation  of  our  Craft,  to 
foster  among  its  adherents  and  its  devotees  a thorough  understand- 
ing and  an  appreciative,  practical  knowledge  of  the  great  truths  it 
inculcates,  to  disseminate  the  high  doctrine  that  above  all  other 
things  Freemasonry  is  Brotherhood,  and  by  so  doing  to  elevate 
along  philanthropic  and  humanitarian  lines  not  only  the  community 
in  which  it  has  wrought,  but  the  thousands  of  men  who,  as  so- 
journers here  from  every  section  of  our  country,  have  come  within 
the  influence  of  its  ennobling  precepts. 

That  Freemasonry  has  entered  largely  into  the  shaping  of  the 
destinies  of  the  United  States  cannot  be  gainsaid.  A brief  review 
of  the  names  of  those  great  men  who  have  guided  the  course  of  our 
Government,  or  have  held  high  place  in  its  councils,  will  firmly 
establish  this  fact,  and  Masons  the  country  over  may  well  rejoice 
as  they  recall  that  from  the  great  patriot  and  statesman — the  revered 
Washington,  the  anniversary  of  whose  birth  will  in  a few  days  be 
celebrated  in  every  city  and  every  hamlet  of  this  land,  who  pre- 
sided over  a Masonic  Lodge  in  our  sister  jurisdiction  of  Virginia, 
who  laid  with  Masonic  ceremonies  the  cornerstone  of  our  Capitol 
building,  using  this  gavel,  now  a priceless  possession  of  Potomac 
Lodge,  No.  5,  of  this  jurisdiction  and  by  its  courtesy  used  by  me  on 
this  occasion — that  from  Washington  to  the  present  executive  of 
the  United  States,  there  have  been  many  who  learned  within  the 
sacred  precincts  of  our  Lodge  rooms  those  great  truths  which 
could  not  fail  to  exert  a lasting  influence  and  constitute  a potent 
force  in  preparing  them  for  the  assumption  of  that  high  office  and 
for  the  high-minded  and  patriotic  discharge  of  its  duties. 

Of  necessity,  therefore,  Freemasonry  has  set  its  stamp  upon  the 
history  of  our  Republic  to  an  extent  which  cannot  be  accurately 
measured.  Without  boastfulness  we  may  sa3^,  however,  that  because 
its  precepts  and  doctrines  appeal  to  the  highest  attributes  of  our 
nature,  they  have  wittingly  or  unwittingly  been  of  lasting  influence 
in  determining  the  basic  principles  upon  which  important  decisions 
in  statecraft  have  been  founded.  It  needs  no  stretch  of  the  imagi- 
nation to  picture  occasions  on  which,  amid  doubt  and  perplexity, 
they  have  been  a beacon  light  by  which  the  Ship  of  State  has  been 
guided  away  from  the  dangers  of  shoal  and  breaker  to  ride  at  ease 
in  the  peaceful  harbor  of  safety  and  security,  nor  need  we  do  vio- 
lence to  history  in  conjuring  up  scenes  in  which  Masons  in  high 


56 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


place  have  been  cheered  in  their  troublous  but  patriotic  course  and 
encouraged  to  a firmer  belief  in  the  ultimate  triumph  of  right  by 
the  lessons  taught  them  at  the  altar  of  Masonry. 

We  have  been  fortunate  in  that  from  the  earliest  days  the  portion 
of  our  country  which  has  been  and  now  is  included  within  the 
geographical  confines  of  the  District  of  Columbia  has  frequently 
been  the  scene  of  Masonic  activities  and  therefore  susceptible  to 
Masonic  influences.  Before  the  organization  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
the  cornerstone  of  the  District  itself  and  the  cornerstone  of  the 
Capitol  building  had  been  laid  with  the  ceremonies  of  our  Craft.  It 
has  participated  times  without  number  in  other  public  functions, 
occupying  in  all  of  them  an  appropriately  high  place,  attracting  to 
itself  the  attention  of  people  everywhere,  and  adding  deservedly  to 
its  prestige.  Under  such  conditions  it  need  occasion  no  surprise  that 
the  growth  of  Masonry  here  has  kept  pace  with  our  political  and 
industrial  advancement ; that  from  five  Lodges,  with  a membership 
of  less  than  two  hundred,  on  February  19,  1811,  our  jurisdiction  has 
progressed  to  its  present  enviable  position  with  twenty-nine  Lodges, 
having  on  their  rolls  more  than  nine  thousand  Master  Masons ; 
that  our  place  of  meeting  should  have  been  enlarged  from  the  com- 
paratively humble  “Union  Lodge  Room,”  pictured  in  our  souvenir 
program,  to  this  new  Temple,  which  is  admittedly  an  ornament  to 
the  achitectural  beauty  of  the  Capital  City  of  our  great  Nation.  A 
wonderful  advancement,  marked  by  a variety  of  changes  and  tran- 
sitions ! Well  indeed  may  it  be  characterized  as  a century  of  pro- 
gressive evolution. 

And,  brethren,  as  we  contemplate  and  rejoice  over  these  evi- 
dences of  material  and  external  progress,  the  pleasing  thought  comes 
to  us  that  there  has  been  no  change  in  the  exalted  teachings,  the 
beneficent  principles,  and  the  high  purposes  of  our  Fraternity.  As 
lasting  as  Truth  itself,  these  exist  today  in  all  essentials  in  the  same 
enduring  form  as  when  cherished  and  exemplified  by  our  brethren 
of  those  far-distant  days.  Adapted  and  suitable  to  the  needs  of  our 
Brotherhood  as  they  have  been  suited  to  the  needs  of  mankind  the 
world  over  since  the  creative  fiat  of  the  Supreme  Architect  was  first 
enunciated,  who  can  doubt  that  the  virtues  and  tenets  of  our  Fra- 
ternity taught  to  the  neophyte  in  Masonry  shall  stand  for  ages  to 
come  as  a correct  code  by  which  to  prove,  refine  and  exalt  the 
human  character? 

My  brethren,  it  is  ours  to  cherish  at  its  true  value  this  priceless 
heritage  from  our  predecessors  and  to  learn  from  the  wisdom  of 
their  experience.  Mindful  of  the  future,  let  us  not  overlook  or  be- 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


little  the  past,  nor  should  we  stand  in  such  awe  of  past  greatness  as 
to  fear  for  the  future. 

Standing  here  today  on  the  threshhold  of  a new  century  of  our 
existence,  as  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  into  whose  hands  the  welfare 
and  the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  our  Fraternity  have  for  the 
time  being  been  committed,  it  well  becomes  us  as  thoughtful  men  to 
indulge  in  a careful  and  judicious  retrospect;  to  scrutinize  earnestly 
and  with  wise  discrimination  the  story  of  the  years  whose  achieve- 
ments are  now  history,  its  record  of  success,  and,  as  we  are  all 
prone  to  err,  its  errors,  with  their  resulting  periods  of  depression,  its 
wisdom,  with  its  consequent  prosperity  and  record  of  proud  achieve- 
ment. The  history  of  the  past  is  ours  to  use  for  its  inspiration  and 
for  its  incentive  to  renewed  effort  in  that  future  which  beckons  us 
onward,  ever  spreading  before  our  eyes  the  alluring  vista  of  hope 
and  promise. 

I indulge  the  high  hope  that  from  such  a retrospect  we  shall 
gather  wisdom,  inspiration  and  courage  such  as  shall  carry  us  far 
in  the  performance  of  the  high  duties  with  which  we  are  charged ; 
that  we  shall  develop  within  our  hearts  a high-born  enthusiasm  for 
our  allotted  task  and  a strong  determination  that,  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe,  we  shall  not  only 
profit  by  the  experiences  of  the  past,  but  shall  emulate  its  achieve- 
ments to  the  end  that  we  may  leave  to  those  who  come  after  us  a 
record  and  an  example  that  shall  be  a lamp  to  their  feet  and  a light 
in  their  path  for  the  enduring  advancement  of  the  cause  of  our 
beloved  Fraternity  and  the  consequent  promotion,  wherever  the 
Light  of  Masonry  shines,  of  the  best  and  truest  interests  of 
Humanity. 

Our  Fathers’  God ! from  out  whose  hand 
The  centuries  fall  like  grains  of  sand, 

We  meet  today,  united,  free, 

And  loyal  to  our  land  and  Thee, 

To  thank  Thee  for  the  era  done, 

And  trust  Thee  for  the  opening  one. 

[Applause.] 

The  Centennial  Hymn,  by  Bro.  William  W.  Jermane,  was 
then  rendered  by  the  Centennial  Choir. 

The  Grand  Master  then  spoke  as  follows : 

The  committee  on  arrangements  has  provided  as  a part  of  the 
ceremonies  of  our  communication  an  address  by  Bro.  Kenton  N. 


58 


centennial  celebration 


Harper,  who,  as  you  know,  was^  appointed  Historian  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  some  years  ago.  He  has  prepared  a History  of  Freemasonry 
in  the  District,  which  is  now  ready  for  distribution,  and  which  is 
recommended  to  the  brethren  of  the  Craft  throughout  the  jurisdic- 
tion. 

For  the  purpose  of  having  incorporated  in  the  record  at  least 
some  of  the  good  things  which  Brother  Harper  has  succeeded  in 
getting  together,  I ask  that  he  now  address  you. 

Brother  Harper  then  read  the  following  address : 

They  hadn’t  any  fine  regalia, 

Their  lodges  were  old  and  bare ; 

But  they  knew  the  ancient  landmarks, 

And  they  kept  them  to  a hair. 

So  sings  Kipling  of  the  lodges  of  the  early  part  of  the  last  cen- 
tury, and  in  those  few  strokes  of  the  master’s  brush  we  have  the 
finished  picture  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  the 
Capital  City,  a picture  which  although  lacking  the  technique  and 
coloring  of  the  one  before  us  in  these  latter  days  is  withal  a won- 
derful work  and  repays  the  closest  scrutiny. 

The  scope  of  the  brief  address  I am  privileged  to  make  precludes 
the  presentation  of  more  than  the  barest  outline,  but  it  will  not  be 
difficult,  I am  sure,  for  the  most  sluggish  imagination  with  such  a 
subject  to  fill  in  the  high  lights  and  the  shadows.  Neither  do  I 
propose  to  offer  a burdensome  array  of  satisfies,  which  can  have 
but  a momentary  grasp  upon  the  memory,  but  shall  endeavor,  as 
concisely  as  may  be,  to  treat  the  subject  broadly. 

Before  entering  upon  the  period  of  organized  Masonry  in  this 
section  of  which  there  is  authentic  record  let  us  for  a moment 
examine  the  field  of  tradition  for  evidence  of  the  presence  and  act- 
ivity of  the  Fraternity  on  our  soil  at  a still  earlier  date,  and  it  is 
well  to  premise  with  the  little  known  fact  that  prior  to  and  for  a 
long  time  subsequent  to  the  Revolutionary  War  it  was  the  custom  to 
keep  Masonic  records  on  detached  slips  of  paper  which  were  at 
frequent  intervals  destroyed  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands 
of  profanes,  and  thus  there  remains  to  us  only  the  most  meagre,  dis- 
connected, and  unsatisfactory  data  of  the  early  days  of  Masonry. 

There  is  at  the  present  day  in  the  possession  of  Potomac  Lodge, 
No.  5,  of  Georgetown,  an  old  Bible,  published  in  Edinburgh,  Scot- 
land, in  1754,  with  this  inscription  on  the  fly-leaf : “A  present  from 
Mr.  Colin  Campbell  to  St.  Andrew’s  Lodge,  the  30th  day  of  Janu- 
ary, 1773,  Bladensburg.”  It  has  also  been  asserted,  but  of  the  fact 


OF  THF  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


59 


there  is  no  available  evidence,  that  a Rev.  Bro.  Thomas  Balch,  of 
Georgetown,  had  in  his  possession  a diploma  showing  that  his  great 
grandfather  was  made  a Mason  in  this  lodge  in  1737.  Diligent 
inquiry,  however,  among  the  descendants  of  Rev.  Balch  fails  to 
bring  to  light  the  missing  document,  but  on  the  contrary  unearths  a 
letter  from  a nephew  of  the  original  Balch  in  which  he  states  the 
impression  that  his  uncle  was  made  a Mason  in  France. 

On  this  Bible  and  diploma  is  predicated  the  theory  of  the  exist- 
ence of  an  old  lodge  in  Georgetown  as  early  as  the  middle  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  but  correspondence  with  the  Grand  Secretaries  of 
England  and  Scotland  proves  that  no  charter  was  issued  to  this  sec- 
tion from  either  of  those  Grand  Lodges  during  the  period  in  question. 
This  by  no  means  disposes  of  the  matter,  for  not  only  were  lodges 
formed  by  inherent  right  long  subsequent  to  that  date,  but  the 
term  “lodge”  applied  equally  to  a hap-hazard  congregation  of 
Masons  for  a single  meeting  as  well  as  to  organized  and  continuing 
bodies,  and  it  may  well  be  accepted  as  probable,  indeed  certain, 
that  among  the  Scotch  immigrants,  who,  more  than  any  other,  found 
their  way  up  the  Patawomeke  River  to  the  head  of  navigation,  now 
the  site  of  Georgetown,  in  those  early  days,  there  were  many  of  the 
Craft  who  upon  proper  occasion  assembled  for  Masonic  intercourse, 
and,  as  was  customary,  inducted  new  members  into  the  mysteries. 
This  is  reasonable,  and  indeed  has  a certain  confirmation  in  the  fact 
that  in  the  traditions  of  some  of  the  oldest  Georgetown  families 
there  is  mentioned  the  so-called  “ Auld  Scotch  Lodge,”  an  important 
institution,  in  which  it  is  said  all  differences  between  Masons  were 
referred  for  adjustment. 

So  much  for  tradition. 

The  first  charter  known  to  have  been  issued  to  any  lodge  within 
the  limits  of  the  present  District  of  Columbia  was  issued  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  at  a meeting  held  April  21,  1789,  to  a 
lodge  to  be  held  in  George-Town,  Md.,  on  the  Potomack  River,  to 
be  officially  known  as  “Lodge  No.  9,”  the  designation  “Potomac” 
appearing  seventeen  years  later,  in  connection  with  the  third  lodge 
chartered  in  that  place. 

That  Freemasonry  was  a dominating  though  unobtrusive  force 
from  the  very  first  in  this  section  has  striking  illustration  in  the 
fact  that  the  cornerstone  of  the  District  was  laid  with  Masonic 
ceremonies,  and  this  event,  probably  without  a parallel  in  the  world’s 
annals,  furnishes  perhaps  the  most  natural,  certainly  the  most  inter- 
esting, point  of  departure  in  the  historical  journey  we  are  about  to 
undertake.  The  word  cornerstone  is  used  in  no  figurative  sense  in 
this  connection  but  refers  to  a small  marker  of  masonry  set  up  at 


60 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


Jones’  Point,  on  Hunting  Creek,  below  Alexandria,  Va.,  from  which 
were  run  at  right  angles  the  lines  which  formed  the  first  two  sides 
of  the  ten-mile  square  constituting  the  original  District  of  Columbia. 
This  initial  stone  was  placed  according  to  ancient  Masonic  usages 
April  15,  1791,  by  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Alexandria,  Va.,  which  had 
Been  chartered  eight  years  before  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania as  No.  39,  and  which,  in  1788,  became  Alexandria-Washington 
Lodge,  No.  22,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Virginia,  with  George 
Washington  as  Master.  While  there  is  left  to  us  only  the  most 
meagre  account  of  this  first  recorded  Masonic  ceremony  it  may  well 
be  surmised  that  Lodge  No.  9,  of  Georgetown,  was  also  in  evidence 
on  that  eventful  spring  day.  The  light-house  structure  on  the  point 
of  land  below  Alexandria  covers  the  site  of  this  marker. 

In  January,  1792,  Lodge  No.  9,  assumed  the  authority  to  grant  a 
dispensation  for  certain  of.  its  members  who  had  moved  to  Port 
Tobacco,  Charles  Co.,  Md.,  to  open  a lodge  at  that  place  to  be  known 
as  St.  Columbia,  pending  a regular  application  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Maryland.  It  may  be  said  in  passing  that  this  somewhat  remark- 
able action  finds  partial  justification  in  the  crude  conditions  of 
transportation  and  communication  of  the  time  and  the  survival  in 
a degree  of  the  old  “inherent  right”  doctrine.  Although  this  method 
of  procedure  was  unfavorably  criticized  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  yet  the 
dispensation  was  confirmed  by  a warrant  to  the  new  lodge  under 
the  title  of  St.  Columbia,  No.  11. 

The  cornerstone  of  the  White  House  was  laid  October  13,  1792, 
and  while  tradition  holds  the  ceremony  to  have  been  under  Masonic 
auspices,  and  a number  of  veracious  historians  so  affirm,  the  most 
diligent  search  fails  to  unearth  any  account  of  the  occasion.  In  the 
absence  of  any  evidence  to  the  contrary,  however,  and  taking  into 
consideration  the  known  fact  that  the  leading  men  in  the  Govern- 
ment and  in  the  corps  of  architects  and  builders  at  the  time  were 
Master  Masons,  it  is  a reasonably  fair  assumption  that  the  ceremony 
was  Masonic,  and  while  this  is  not  historic  it  is  given  as  an  historic 
probability. 

The  third  public  Masonic  affair,  which  gains  importance  by  rea- 
son of  being  the  first  in  the  city  of  Washington  of  which  there  is 
incontrovertible  record,  was  the  laying  of  the  cornerstone  of  the 
Union  Public  Hotel,  long  known  as  “Blodgett’s,”  located  between  E 
and  F and  Seventh  and  Eighth  streets,  N.  W.,  and  for  many  years 
the  most  pretentious  hostelry  in  the  city,  on  July  4,  1793. 

Work  on  the  public  buildings  at  once  brought  to  the  new  city  a 
small  army  of  architects  and  builders,  and  among  this  company 
were  found  many  of  the  Craft  who  later  were  prominently  identified 


J°S^H  H.'MIL, 

G-  pursuivant 


WARREN  X.  BICKFORD 
g tile:r 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


63 


with  Masonic  and  municipal  matters,  and  were  largely  instrumental 
in  safely  guiding  the  Federal  City  through  its  troublous  formative 
period.  A handful  of  these  brethren,  among  whom  may  be  men- 
tioned Bro.  James  Hoban,  the  architect  of  the  Capitol  and  Execu- 
tive Mansion,  and  one  of  the  many  Irishmen  and  devout  Romanists 
who  in  that  day  were  also  consistent  members  of  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity, having  previously,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  period, 
obtained  a dispensation  from  Lodge  No.  9,  applied  for  and  received 
a warrant  to  open  a lodge  to  be  known  as  Federal,  No.  15,  Sep- 
tember 12,  1893,  just  six  days  before  the  laying  of  the  cornerstone 
of  the  Capitol,  and  it  is  a natural  and  reasonable  conclusion  that  this 
approaching  ceremonial  had  much  to  do  with  at  least  hastening  its 
birth.  A temporary  home  was  found  in  a private  house  in  New 
Jersey  avenue,  S.  E.,  on  the  site  of  the  present  House  of  Represent- 
atives Office  Building,  but  more  satisfactory  quarters  were  soon 
engaged  in  the  “Little  Hotel,”  F between  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth 
streets,  N.  W.,  which,  as  is  not  generally  known,  is  still  standing, 
entirely  surrounded  by  office  buildings. 

Probably  the  most  important  event  in  the  history  of  the  local 
Fraternity,  all  things  considered,  was  the  cornerstone  laying  of  the 
U.  S.  Capitol  building,  which  occurred  September  18,  1793,  and  was 
under  the  exclusive  control  of  the  Craft,  Joseph  Clark,  Worshipful 
Master  of  Lodge  No.  12,  at  Annapolis,  acting  as  Grand  Master. 
Gen.  George  Washington,  then  President  of  the  United  States, 
joined  in  the  ceremonies  as  a Mason,  was  honored  with  the  chief 
place  in  the  procession,  and  is  believed  to  have  taken  the  square  and 
level  in  his  hands  and  laid  the  stone  according  to  the  ancient 
Masonic  rites. 

The  gavel  used  by  Brother  Washington  was,  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  ceremonies,  handed  by  him  to  Valentine  Reintzel,  then  Master  of 
No.  9,  and  later  the  first  Grand  Master  of  the  District,  and  has 
been  jealously  guarded  ever  since  by  the  successors  of  the  original 
Georgetown  Lodge. 

The  lodges  participating  were  Lodge  No.  9,  of  Georgetown,  Lodge 
No.  22,  of  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  Federal  Lodge,  No.  15,  of  Wash- 
ington, the  latter,  according  to  a contemporary  account,  “in  all 
their  elegant  badges  and  clothing.” 

In  the  early  part  of  the  following  year  Lodge  No.  9,  exhausted  by 
the  drain  upon  its  membership  through  the  formation  of  the  Port 
Tobacco  Lodge,  gave  up  the  ghost,  and  left  the  field  of  the  present 
District  entirely  to  Federal  Lodge,  until  the  founding  of  Columbia, 
No.  19,  October  22,  1795,  largely  composed  of  former  members  of 
No.  9.  This  lodge  was  only  in  existence  a few  years  but  has  left 


64 


CENTENNIAL,  CELEBRATION 


some  fragmentary  records  from  which  may  be  gained  a glimpse  of 
the  usages  and  customs  of  the  period. 

Tempting  as  these  records  are  we  can  pause  but  a moment,  and 
in  order  to  get  the  proper  viewpoint  we  must  breathe  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  period,  and,  as  conditions  were  so  radically  different 
then  and  now,  we  must  accept  as  necessary  and  proper  many 
incongruities  and  odd  regulations  almost  unintelligible  to  the  modern 
mind  but  which,  doubtless,  were  the  offspring  of  the  necessities  of 
the  times. 

Refreshments  figured  large  at  every  meeting,  and  this  is  easily 
understandable  when  we  reflect  that  the  opportunities  for  gathering 
socially  were  few  and  the  distances  to  be  traveled  often  great,  nor 
should  we  harshly  criticize  the  fact  that  liquids  of  various  kinds 
formed  part  of  the  cheer. 

Sunday  meetings  were  usual  and  this  habit  was  not  broken  for 
many  years. 

Both  leather  and  dimity  aprons  were  used,  the  former  by  pref- 
erance. 

Members  were  fined  for  non-attendance  at  meetings  in  the  sum  of 
7 s.  6 d.  each  absence,  and  for  a third  offense  were  liable  to  sus- 
pension or  expulsion,  while  members  of  committees  were  subject 
to  a still  greater  fine. 

Dues  were  payable  each  meeting,  and  visitors  were  also  required 
to  pay  a stated  sum. 

Two  black  balls  were  necessary  to  reject. 

After  the  collapse  of  Columbia,  Federal  again  occupied  the  field 
alone,  although  over  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  in  1796,  Alexandria-Brooke 
Lodge  was  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia,  and  later 
became  an  active  member  of  our  local  family. 

December  18,  1799,  the  body  of  the  illustrious  Washington  was 
consigned  to  the  tomb  at  Mt.  Vernon,  with  great  ceremony  and 
full  Masonic  honors,  the  occasion  being,  perhaps,  the  most  impres- 
sive of  its  character  ever  held  before  or  since,  and  we  may  note  in 
passing  that  on  the  same  date,  one  hundred  years  later,  the  exact 
service  was  repeated  as  nearly  as  possible  in  honor  of  the  memory 
of  this  great  man  and  Mason. 

The  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  found  Masonry  languish- 
ing on  this  side  of  the  river,  Federal,  the  lone  representative,  experi- 
encing a period  of  depression  which,  however,  soon  passed,  and 
when  on  November  8,  1802,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  upon 
the  recommendation  of  No.  15,  granted  a charter  to  Columbia 
Lodge,  No.  35,  with  a list  of  twenty-one  members,  largely  drawn 


OF  THF  GRAND  LODGER  F.  A.  A.  M. 


65 


from  the  employees  of  the  Treasury  Department,  an  era  of  com- 
parative activity  set  in.  The  two  lodges  in  1804  united  in  the 
erection  on  Eleventh  street,  N.  W.,  on  the  site  of  the  present  City 
Post-office,  of  the  building  long  known  as  “Union  Lodge  Room,” 
the  first  building  to  be  erected  for  Masonic  purposes  in  the  new  city. 

Over  in  the  Navy  Yard  section  Masonry  arrived  in  1805  upon  the 
formation  of  Naval  Lodge,  No.  41,  which  was  followed  in  1806  by 
a revival  of  interest  in  Georgetown  which  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
Potomac,  No.  43. 

The  end  of  the  first  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century  thus  found 
six  lodges  in  fairly  prosperous  condition  within  the  then  limits  of 
the  District,  and  the  subject  of  the  formation  of  an  independent 
Grand  Lodge,  which  had  been  agitated  for  several  years,  culminated 
in  an  active  movement  which  resulted  in  the  birth  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  one  hundred  years  ago  yesterday. 

One  lodge,  Alexandria-Washington,  No.  22,  held  aloof  and  never 
came  into  the  confederation,  but  jurisdictional  lines  not  being  as 
tightly  drawn  as  at  the  present  this  condition  led  to  no  serious 
embarrassment. 

The  separation  from  Maryland  was  marked  by  the  best  of  feeling, 
which  has  continued  to  the  present  day,  while  the  new  Grand  body 
was  cordially  received  by  all  the  other  jurisdictions. 

The  representatives  to  the  new  Grand  Lodge  were  elected  as  such, 
and  were  not  as  now  the  first  three  officers,  and  it  will  be  under- 
stood that  in  view  of  the  difficulties  of  communication,  the  long 
distance,  and  the  execrable  roads,  the  billet  was  not  a much  sought 
after  one.  In  this  connection  it  is  within  the  memory  of  a few  of 
the  brethren  yet  with  us  with  whom  the  Historian  has  conversed, 
that  the  usual  method  of  reaching  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the  outlying 
delegates  was  on  horseback. 

In  the  same  year  of  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  charters 
were  issued  to  Union  Lodge,  No.  6,  a tenant  of  Naval  Lodge  for 
some  years,  and  Lebanon,  No.  7,  the  first  of  which  expired  during 
the  anti-Masonic  excitement,  and  the  latter  in  a few  months  rounds 
out  a century  of  prosperity. 

In  the  early  days  the  hour  of  meeting  was  10  a.  m.,  and  under 
the  conditions  already  alluded  to  it  will  be  understood  that  the 
matter  of  refreshment  for  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  of 


66 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


no  small  importance,  as  has  documentary  proof  in  a sheaf  of  Grand 
Tiler’s  bills  in  the  archives,  one  of  which  will  suffice  for  illustration  : 


1812.  R. 
July  12. 


W.  Grand  Lodge  D.  Cola,  to  B.  Parsons,  Steward  and 
Tyler,  Dr. 

To  2 turkeys,  each  $1.50  and  $1.75 $3.25 

“ 1 Ham 1.45 

10  Loaves  bread 62*4 

“ 2 Galls,  cider 64 

L2  Gal.  whiskey  50 

“ 1 Gal.  Beer 50 

“ Tyling  2.00 


$8,965/2 

1-4  Cord  hickory  wood,  hauling,  sawing,  &c  ....  2.81 
“ Sundries  furnished  on  20  Augt.,  1812,  being  a 
day  appointed  by  the  President  U.  S.  for  fast- 
ing and  prayer  & the  procession  prevented  by 
rain  & for  Tyling  bill 7.84 


$19.6154 


There  were  different  standards  in  those  days. 

The  first  decade  of  the  existence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shows  a 
slight  decrease  in  the  aggregate  membership,  as  a reasonably  accu- 
rate computation  shows  about  250  in  1814  as  against  219  in  1821, 
and  this  may  readily  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  instead  of 
being  separate  units,  owing  allegiance  to  distant  Grand  bodies,  the 
lodges  were  now  welded  together  with  common  interests  and  respon- 
sible to  a common  authority,  and  this  condition  would  naturally 
operate  in  the  interest  of  especial  care  in  the  selection  of  material. 

As  early  as  1818  was  inaugurated  the  custom  of  Grand  Lodge 
visitations  peculiar  to  and  only  possible  in  this  jurisdiction,  which 
has  been  a source  of  pleasure  and  profit  for  many  years,  and  it  may 
be  mentioned  parenthetically  that  in  the  early  days  several  lodges — 
on  at  least  one  occasion  as  many  as  five — would  meet  in  joint  ses- 
sion to  receive  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  celebration  of  St.  John’s  Day  was  the  annual  event  in  Masonic 
circles  for  the  first  half  of  the  last  century,  and  was  invariably 
made  the  occasion  of  a procession  with  a brass  band,  and  indeed 
this  tendency  toward  public  appearances  on  the  slightest  pretext 
ran  well  through  the  same  period,  one  of  the  occasions  frequently 
being  the  formation  of  a procession  with  the  orphan  children  from 
one  of  the  institutions,  and  after  an  extended  march  the  taking  of  a 
collection  for  the  benefit  of  the  children. 

In  this  general  connection  it  may  be  stated  that  the  brass  band 


of  the;  grand  dodge,  e.  a.  a.  m. 


67 


always  figured  at  Masonic  funerals,  which  were  invariably  attended 
on  foot. 

In  1824  the  list  of  lodges  was  lengthened  by  the  granting  of  a 
charter  to  Evangelical  Lodge,  No.  8,  of  Alexandria,  Va.,  which 
was  one  of  the  few  to  succumb  during  the  period  of  persecution, 
and  The  New  Jerusalem  Lodge,  No.  9,  which  flourishes  today  in 
the  front  rank  of  our  column. 

As  early  as  1825  the  Grand  Lodge  passed  a set  of  resolutions  com- 
mending the  project  of  erecting  a monument  to  George  Washington, 
in  1848  laid  the  corner-stone,  in  1850  placed  therein  a memorial  stone, 
and  without  ceasing  labored  toward  the  completion  of  the  work, 
and  it  is  strictly  within  the  facts  to  say  that  that  mammoth  obelisk, 
which  was  dedicated  in  1885  with  the  ceremonies  of  our  Order,  owes 
its  existence  to  the  Masonic  Fraternity. 

In  the  year  1826  the  Masonic  Temple,  known  as  “Central”  and 
later  as  “Freemasons’  ” Hall,  still  standing  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  Indiana  avenue  and  John  Marshall  place,  was  erected,  and  was 
for  some  years  the  home  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  the  down-town 
lodges.  The  history  of  the  vicissitudes  attending  the  Fraternity 
during  the  occupancy  of  this  building  and  its  final  loss  are  matters 
of  unusual  interest,  but  may  not  be  entered  upon  at  this  time  if  a 
limit  is  to  be  set  for  our  sketch. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  following  year  Masonry  obtained  a foot- 
ing in  the  old  First  Ward  by  the  formation  of  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  10, 
which  was  instituted  in  the  Eastern  Edifice  of  the  Seven  Buildings, 
an  historic  house  once  occupied  by  President  Madison  as  the  Execu- 
tive Mansion. 

The  great  anti-Masonic  wave,  to  which  passing  allusion  has  been 
made,  was  now  gathering  volume  and  sweeping  over  the  country 
and  locally  its  force  was  felt  to  an  alarming  extent.  Under  the 
stress  Brooke  Lodge,  No.  2,  went  out  of  existence  in  1833,  Columbia 
in  1835,  Union  in  the  same  year,  while  Federal  surrendered  its  char- 
ter in  1836.  Brooke  and  Union  never  revived,  but  Columbia  came  to 
life  after  thirty  years,  and  Federal  remained  dormant  but  one  year. 
During  the  height  of  the  disturbance  Naval  Lodge  is  known  to  have 
met  in  the  home  of  the  Commandant  of  the  Navy  Yard. 

All  public  demonstrations  were  not,  however,  abandoned  during 
this  period,  and  among  other  occasions  may  be  noted  the  laying  of 
the  corner-stone  of  Jackson  City,  January  11,  1836,  by  Grand 
Master  Billing,  assisted  by  M.  W.  Brother  Andrew  Jackson,  Past 
Grand  Master  of  Tennessee  and  President  of  the  United  States. 

With  the  loss  of  the  Central  Masonic  Hall  the  lodges  became  for 
a time  scattered,  and  this  gave  rise  to  some  controversy  as  to  the 


68 


CENTENNIAL,  CEEEBRATION 


ownership  of  various  articles  of  property,  and  while  the  final  adjust- 
ment is  of  no  moment  it  is  a matter  of  historical  interest  to  quote  an 
inventory  of  the  effects  made  at  the  time : 

Nine  yellow  chairs;  9 rods  of  Steward  and  Tyler;  1 small  table, 
painted  red;  1 small  desk;  16  spit-boxes  and  1 large  chest  with  No. 
35,  Columbia  Lodge,  on  it ; 1 cupboard  No.  7,  and  1 picture,  pre- 
sented by  Brother  Coote  to  the  Grand  Lodge;  1 framed  chart;  1 
small  master’s  carpet,  complete ; 1 triple  chair ; 3 lesser  lights  and 
sockets;  1 great  light,  No.  35,  Columbia  Lodge;  1 Tyler’s  sword, 
No.  7;  1 water  bucket  and  large  letter  G;  18  yellow  broad-back 
chairs  and  2 blue-bottom  armed  chairs  at  Brother  Greer’s  office. 

By  the  year  1845  the  Fraternity  began  to  emerge  from  the  cloud, 
and  an  era  of  prosperity  set  in,  one  of  the  first  results  of  which 
was  the  formation  of  St.  John’s  Lodge,  No.  11,  December  27,  1845, 
which  was  quickly  followed  in  May  of  the  following  year  by  a 
charter  to  National  Lodge,  No.  12. 

In  1848,  the  California  gold  fever  caused  quite  an  exodus  from 
Washington  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  among  the  number  who  made 
the  venture  were  some  of  the  Fraternity  who  previous  to  their 
departure  applied  for  and  received  a charter  to  open  a lodge  in  the 
new  country  to  be  known  as  California  Lodge,  No.  13.  It  is  a 
matter  of  local  pride  to  state  that  this  lodge  in  a few  years  helped 
to  organize  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California,  became  No.  1 of  that 
jurisdiction  and  furnished  its  first  Grand  Master. 

The  opening  of  the  second  half  of  the  nineteenth  century  found 
the  Fraternity  numerically  weak,  with  a membership  of  less  than 
300,  but  the  day  of  strength  was  rapidly  drawing  near. 

A Masonic  event  of  national  importance  was  the  laying  of  the 
cornerstone  of  the  Capitol  extension,  June  24,  1851,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  the  fact  that  President  Fillmore  was  present  and  took 
an  active  part  in  the  ceremonies  gains  added  interest  when  we  recall 
that  during  the  anti-Masonic  excitement  of  a few  years  before  he 
was  a most  bitter  arraigner  of  the  institution,  which  he  character- 
ized as  “organized  treason.” 

The  year  1852  witnessed  the  birth  of  Washington  Centennial 
Lodge,  No.  14,  the  only  Masonic  Lodge  ever  established  in  the  large 
territory  formerly  known  as  the  “Island,”  and  now  the  Southwest, 
but  which  in  a few  years  moved  to  a more  central  location.  The 
following  year  a charter  was  granted  to  Benjamin  B.  French,  No. 
15,  and  five  years  later  to  Dawson,  No.  16. 

In  i860  the  country  was  in  the  midst  of  the  fierce  political  agita- 
tion which  preceded  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and  during  this  pe- 
riod, when  brother  was  turning  against  brother  and  father  against 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  E.  A.  A.  M. 


69 


son,  it  is  a matter  of  congratulation  that  no  note  of  discord  sounded 
in  the  lodge  rooms.  Brethren  went  out  from  the  sacred  precincts 
to  don  the  blue  or  the  gray  as  their  sense  of  duty  impelled  them, 
and  later  met  upon  the  field  of  battle,  perchance,  yet  ever  and 
always  were  brethren  of  the  mystic  tie,  and  this  brotherhood  found 
its  expression  throughout  the  years  of  the  great  fratricidal  struggle 
in  thousands  of  instances  of  alleviation  of  suffering  and  the 
stretching  forth  of  the  hand  to  assist  a worthy  fallen  brother,  even 
though  his  uniform  chanced  to  be  of  a different  hue. 

All  the  influence  of  the  great  Fraternity  was  thrown  toward  the 
maintenance  of  peace,  and  while,  in  the  providence  of  God,  this  was 
not  to  be,  yet  who  can  measure  the  immensity  of  the  service 
wrought  by  the  Brotherhood  North  and  South  in  lessening  the 
horrors  of  war? 

When  the  first  gun  was  fired,  and  Washington  was  suddenly 
transformed  into  an  immense  military  camp  with  hundreds  of  hospi- 
tals crowded  with  the  maimed  and  dying,  the  local  Fraternity  were 
face  to  face  with  perhaps  the  greatest  task  ever  forced  upon  a com- 
paratively small  body  of  men  in  the  name  of  duty.  Right  nobly  they 
met  it,  and  for  four  years  gave  of  their  time  and  means  to  lighten 
the  burden  of  sorrow  pressing  heavily  all  about  them,  caring  for  the 
sick  and  wounded,  substantially  aiding  the  distressed,  and  giving 
Masonic  burial  to  those  sojourning  brethren  who  had  “given  the 
last  full  measure  of  devotion  to  their  country.”  In  addition  to  these 
common  acts  of  humanity  the  years  were  crowded  with  instances  of 
fellowship  and  self-sacrificing  brotherhood  of  a character  not  proper 
to  be  written,  but  which  may  well  be  left  to  the  imagination. 

During  the  war  a number  of  military  lodges  asked  for  and  re- 
ceived dispensations  from  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  no  question  of 
jurisdiction  or  trouble  of  any  kind  marred  their  relations  with  the 
local  Craft. 

Through  a misunderstanding  a dispensation  was  issued  to  an 
Alexandria,  Va.,  lodge  early  in  the  war,  and  was  renewed  from  time 
to  time,  but  after  hostilities  were  suspended  the  matter  was  ami- 
cably adjusted  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  jurisdictions. 

The  period  of  the  Rebellion,  while  imposing  great  labor  and  re- 
sponsibility upon  the  Fraternity,  shows  a remarkable  growth  in 
numerical  strength,  the  returns  for  1863  showing  an  aggregate  of 
1,233  Master  Masons,  and  that  of  1865  1,720.  The  logical  effect  of 
this  increase  was  the  formation  of  new  lodges.  First  among 
these  for  the  period  alluded  to  was  that  of  Harmony,  No.  17,  char- 
tered May  5.  1863;  Acacia,  No.  18,  and  LaFayette,  No.  19,  Decem- 
ber 28,  1863 ; the  institution  of  Hope,  No.  20,  May  7,  1867 ; and 


70 


CENTENNIAL,  CELEBRATION 


the  birth  of  another  pair  of  twins  December  28,  1868 — Anacostia, 
No.  2i,  and  George  C.  Whiting,  No.  22,  the  one  in  the  extreme  east 
of  the  populated  territory  and  the  other  in  the  extreme  west.  Fol- 
lowing closely  came  the  founding  of  Pentalpha,  No.  23,  in  May,  1869. 

This  year  also  witnessed  the  completion  and  occupancy  of  the 
Temple  at  Ninth  and  F streets,  N.  W.,  a much  needed  and  desir- 
able change,  the  years  subsequent  to  the  loss  of  the  first  Central 
Masonic  Hall  having  been  spent  first  in  the  old  Medical  College 
Building,  on  Tenth  and  E streets,  N.  W.,  and  later  in  the  structure 
on  the  corner  of  Ninth  and  D streets,  N.  W.,  the  latter  also  being 
known  as  Central  Masonic  Hall. 

In  1873  came  into  being  Stansbury  Lodge,  No.  24,  at  Bright- 
wood,  D.  C.,  and  in  1876,  Arminius,  No.  25,  the  latter  the  only 
lodge  in  the  jurisdiction  using  the  German  language  exclusively  in 
the  lodge  room. 

The  death  of  Brother  James  A.  Garfield,  then  President  of  the 
United  States,  in  1881,  inflicted  a very  distinct  loss  upon  the  Fra- 
ternity by  reason  of  the  fact  that  while  other  chief  executives  have 
been  consistent  members  thereof  and  frequently  patronized  our 
assemblies,  Brother  Garfield  was,  in  addition,  an  active  and  inter- 
ested member  of  a Blue  Lodge,  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Commandery, 
and  Scottish  Rite  body  in  this  city. 

Worthy  of  special  note  among  the  latter  day  Masonic  happen- 
ings was  the  attendance  in  1887  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Baltimore 
upon  the  occasion  of  the  celebration  of  the  Centennial  Anniversary 
of  our  mother  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  accompanied  by  1,370 
Master  Masons  clad  in  dark  clothes,  silk  hats,  and  new  lambskin 
aprons,  a spectacle  made  possible  by  the  rigid  insistence,  even  at  as 
late  a date  as  that,  upon  formal  and  uniform  clothing,  a custom 
rapidly  losing  ground  in  this  jurisdiction. 

The  last  decade  of  the  nineteeth  century  brought  into  being  four 
new  lodges:  Osiris,  No.  26,  May  14,  1890;  Myron  M.  Parker,  No.  27, 
located  in  the  entirely  new  field  of  the  Northeast,  May  13,  1891; 
King  David,  No.  28,  in  Brookland,  D.  C.,  November  8,  1893,  and 
Takoma,  No.  29,  in  Takoma  Park,  D.  C.,  May  8,  1895. 

As  early  as  1897  the  pressing  need  of  a new  Temple,  which  had 
been  for  some  years  a subject  of  agitation,  resulted  in  the  movement 
which,  enlisting  the  active  support  of  the  entire  Fraternity,  bore 
fruit  in  the  erection  and  occupancy  of  the  present  Temple  in  1908. 

The  various  steps  which  marked  the  progress  of  this  great  work 
are  of  too  recent  date  and  too  well  known  to  justify  enlargement 
upon  or  even  mention  at  this  time.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  it  will 
ever  stand  as  a monument  to  the  band  of  indefatigable  workers 


OF  THE  GRAND  DODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


71 


whose  devotion  to  duty  under  the  most  discouraging  conditions 
brought  the  enterprise  to  a successful  conclusion  and  finally  placed 
the  control  of  the  building  where  it  properly  belongs — in  the  hands 
of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  family  of  local  lodges  as  we  find  it  today  has  been  com- 
pleted since  the  opening  of  the  new  century  by  the  chartering  of 
Wm,  R.  Singleton  Lodge,  No.  30,  located  at  Tenley,  D.  C.,  May  8, 
1901;  King  Solomon,  No.  31  (daylight),  May  10,  1905;  Temple, 
No.  32,  December  18,  1907,  and  Mount  Pleasant,  No.  33,  December 
21,  1910. 

The  lack  of  time  forbids  the  enumeration  of  the  cornerstone 
layings  and  dedications  which  have  marked  the  passing  years,  and 
we  can  only  pause  long  enough  to  note  that  the  Fraternity  has  been 
called  upon  to  perform  the  first  of  these  offices  for  a large  number 
of  Federal  buildings  and  monuments,  and  the  large  majority  of  the 
protestant  churches  and  benevolent  institutions,  and  both  offices 
for  all  Masonic  buildings,  but  time  must  be  taken  to  refer  to  the 
laying  of  the  cornerstone  of  the  Masonic  and  Eastern  Star  Home, 
May  1 7,  1905,  the  inauguration  of  a Home  for  indigent  Master 
Masons  and  their  dependents,  which  though  but  partially  com- 
pleted has  been  in  successful  operation  for  several  years,  and  has 
proved  to  be  of  the  greatest  value.  It  is  supported  by  a per  capita 
assessment  upon  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  the  District  and  the 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  and  it  is  but  the  simplest  justice  to  say 
that  to  the  latter  organization  the  idea  owes  its  initiation  and 
fruition. 

Neither  may  we  enter  into  the  interesting  story  of  the  benevo- 
lences of  the  local  Fraternity,  but  must  rest  content  with  the  general 
statement  that  the  record  of  the  jurisdiction  along  this  line  is  a 
beautiful  commentary  on  the  practical  application  of  our  belief  in 
the  Divine  pronouncement  that  “the  greatest  of  these  is  Charity.” 

Again,  by  reason  of  our  limitation  as  to  time,  we  cannot  touch 
upon  the  lives  of  those  eminent  Masons  who  have  lived  and  wrought 
and  passed  away  during  the  century,  great  as  the  temptation  is  to 
do  full  justice  to  such  names  as  Benjamin  B.  French,  Charles  S. 
Frailey,  George  C.  Whiting,  Charles  F.  Stansbury,  James  E.  F. 
Holmead,  Robert  B.  Donaldson,  Noble  D.  Earner,  Wm.  R.  Singleton, 
and  a host  of  others  who  have  brought  this  jurisdiction  to  the  proud 
position  it  occupies  at  the  close  of  its  first  century.  Truly  there 
were  giants  in  those  days. 

This  sketch,  however,  would  be  incomplete  were  the  fact  not 
mentioned  that  three  of  those  who  attained  to  the  office  of  Grand 
Master,  namely,  Weightman,  Mason,  and  Frailey,  were  taken  from 


72 


CENTENNIAL,  CEEEBRATION 


the  body  of  the  Craft  without  previous  service  in  a subordinate 
East. 

Thus  is  the  history  of  Freemasonry  in  the  District  of  Columbia 
brought  to  the  present  moment.  What  the  future  holds  of  pros- 
perity and  reverse  is  known  only  to  the  Great  I Am,  nor  should  we 
care  to  lift  the  vail.  Suffice  it  that  today,  on  the  one  hundredth 
anniversary  of  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  we  may  felici- 
tate ourselves  on  a magnificent  record  of  achievement,  and  it  is  for 
us  here  in  this  inspiring  atmosphere  to  highly  resolve  that  the  pre- 
cious heritage  of  a united,  harmonious,  and  powerful  jurisdiction, 
which  has  come  down  to  us,  shall  ever  remain  a sacred  trust,  and  be 
transmitted  to  our  successors  unimpaired,  glorified,  strengthened, 
and  enlarged.  [Applause.] 

A selection,  “God  is  My  Guide,”  was  then  rendered  by  the 
Centennial  Choir. 

The  Grand  Master  stated  that  early  in  the  proceedings  he 
had  promised  himself  the  pleasure,  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
the  privilege,  of  hearing  from  our  distinguished  Grand 
Masters  present,  representatives  from  our  sister  jurisdic- 
tions. It  therefore  gave  him  great  pleasure  to  introduce 
M.  W.  Brother  Henry  S.  Bridges,  Grand  Master  of  New 
Brunswick. 

M.  W.  Brother  Bridges  addressed  the  Grand  Lodge  as 
follows : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  Keiper  and  Members  of  this 
Grand  Lodge  : In  arising  to  give  you  a Masonic  greeting  from  our 

Province  by  the  sea,  I wish  to  compliment  the  writer  of  the  his- 
torical address,  Brother  Harper,  for  the  fine  presentation  he  gave  us 
of  the  past  history  of  Masonry  in  this  jurisdiction.  I listened  with 
a great  deal  of  interest  to  his  historical  reminiscences,  and  espec- 
ially those  which  referred  to  the  great  capacity  for  feeding  of  our 
early  brethren. 

Did  it  ever  occur  to  you  that  our  early  brethren  generally  estab- 
lished their  lodges  near  hotels?  They  were  great  feeders  in  those 
days,  and  some  of  them,  I am  sorry  to  say,  were  very  hard  drinkers. 
That,  however,  is  a thing  of  the  past,  and  now  we  are  all  dry — 
dry  enough  to  satisfy  even  the  heart  of  a man  from  the  State  of 
Maine. 

I wish,  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  to  present  to  you  the 


OF  THF  GRAND  LODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


73 


hearty  congratulations  from  the  Masons  in  New  Brunswick.  I be- 
lieve I happen  to  be  the  only  representative  from  Canada,  and  I also 
present  to  you  the  congratulations  of  the  four  hundred  thousand 
brethren  of  the  Craft  throughout  the  Provinces  to  the  north. 

The  period  when  your  Grand  Lodge  was  established,  in  1811,  was 
a very  critical  period.  The  great  Napoleon  had  stretched  his  arm 
out  over  Europe,  endeavoring  to  stir  up  trouble  between  England 
and  the  United  States,  and  I must  say  he  succeeded  only  too  well. 
But  in  1815  was  established  that  peace  between  the  States  and 
Britain  which  has  lasted  for  nearly  a hundred  years,  and  I am  sure 
that  you  on  this  side  of  the  line  are  animated  by  feelings  of  the 
greatest  kindness  and  cordiality  toward  your  brethren  in  the  Prov- 
inces to  the  north. 

And  is  this  not  the  proper  spirit?  “We  were  one  family  for 
nearly  two  thousand  years.  Our  ancestors  fought  at  Hastings  and 
heard  curfew  toll.”  We  are  now  within  a measurable  distance  of 
reciprocity,  which  in  my  opinion  will  add  to  the  peace  and  harmony 
now  prevailing,  and  I am  sure  that  the  spirit  of  our  mystic  frater- 
nity will  have  much  to  do  with  promoting  the  spirit  of  good  will 
throughout  the  branches  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  on  this  continent 
of  ours. 

I was  glad  to  hear  your  Grand  Master  emphasize  what  the  Craft 
lias  done  in  the  history  of  the  world.  I believe  that  Masonry,  or  at 
least  the  mystic  brethren,  have  exercised  a great  influence  upon  the 
history  of  the  world  at  different  crises. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  a great  number  of  the  signers  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence  were  Masons,  as  also  the  revolutionists  of 
the  Revolution  of  1688,  when  King  James  II  had  to  leave  the  throne 
of  England.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  mystic  Lodge  had  much 
to  do  with  that.  The  great  Bolingbroke  was  himself  a Mason,  and 
you  know  that  each  male  member  of  the  present  reigning  house  of 
England  has  joined  our  Craft.  The  late  King  was  a very  prominent 
member  of  the  Craft,  and  Grand  Master  for  a period  of  twenty 
years. 

There  are  two  things  that  have  always  appealed  to  me  as  a brother 
Mason.  One  is  this : Masonry  regards  no  one  for  his  worldly 
wealth  or  outward  appearance.  We  have  to  earn  our  position  in 
the  Lodge  through  service.  If  we  wish  to  become  true  brothers — 
if  we  wish  to  be  able  to  wield  the  gavel  with  prudence  and  discre- 
tion, we  must  take  our  position  in  the  humbler  places  in  the  Lodge 
and  work  up  to  those  positions  which  are  higher,  and  it  is  only  those 
who  have  gone  through  the  regular  graduation  of  officers  that  are 
fitted  to  preside  in  the  East. 


74 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


There  is  another  thing,  and  that  is  the  spirit  of  fraternity  which 
prompts  us  to  relieve  worthy  brothers  in  distress. 

There  is  another  point  also  on  which  I wish  to  say  a few  words : 
The  period  of  one  hundred  years  in  the  history  of  a lodge  or 
body  is  a great  one.  It  has  been  one  of  great  prosperity  to  you, 
but  a hundred  years  is  as  but  yesterday  in  comparison  with  the  time 
that  Masonry  has  existed. 

Masonry  teaches  us  to  respect  the  past,  and  it  also  holds  out  to 
us  a hope  for  the  future.  One  of  your  greatest  statesmen,  Henry 
Clay,  during  an  interval  from  his  duties  in  Congress,  was  found 
alone  in  some  woods  near  his  home.  He  was  asked  what  he  was 
doing  there.  Looking  up,  he  replied,  “I  am  thinking  of  the  tramp 
of  the  feet  of  the  millions  that  will  some  day  people  this  great  con- 
tinent.” Now  this  country  has  filled  up  until  you  number  at  least 
eighty  millions  of  people,  and  the  country  I represent  is  also  filling 
up  rapidly.  Let  us  then,  as  Masons,  on  both  sides  of  the  line,  act  in 
such  a way  that  the  same  spirit  of  good  feeling  and  fraternity  which 
now  exists  shall  exist  through  all  time. 

The  Grand  Lodge  which  I have  the  honor  to  represent  is  a com- 
paratively young  body  compared  with  yours.  We  date  only  from 
1867,  because  prior  to  that  time  we  worked  under  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  England.  So  it  is  not  possible  for  me  to  invite  you  to  share  with 
us  in  the  celebration  of  our  centennial.  But  let  us  trust  that  our 
conduct  as  Masons  and  the  way  in  which  we  exemplify  its  principles 
cn  earth  will  enable  us  to  meet  at  last  in  the  celestial  lodge  above, 
where  the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe  Himself  presides. 

I thank  you,  Most  Worshipful  Sir,  for  the  opportunity  to  say 
a few  words.  [Applause.] 

The  Grand  Master  : We  have  with  us  a representative 

from  another  jurisdiction,  also  to  the  North  of  us,  and  I 
call  on  M.  W.  Brother  Henry  L.  Ballou,  Grand  Master  of 
Vermont,  to  address  this  Grand  Lodge. 

M.  W.  Brother  Ballou  responded  as  follows : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  District  of  Columbia : It  is  with  deep  pleasure  that  I extend 

to  you  the  congratulations  of  the  thirteen  thousand  Masons  of  the 
Green  Mountain  State,  although  when  I left  there  a few  days  ago 
its  verdure  was  covered  with  about  two  feet  of  snow,  and  I had  to 
come  to  Washington  to  see  anything  green. 

I extend  to  you  the  congratulations  of  a State  Jurisdiction  that 


OF  THE)  GRAND  LODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


Id 

was  the  most  anti-Masonic  State  of  any  in  the  Union  during  the 
period  that  has  been  spoken  of  by  your  Historian,  Brother  Harper, 
at  this  communication.  We  in  Vermont  passed  laws  intended  to 
annihilate  Masonry,  and  even  at  this  day  the  oath  cannot  be 
administered  in  our  lodges — but  a Mason’s  word  is  as  good  as  an 
oath. 

We  also  elected  Governor  after  Governor,  anti-Masonic.  We 
cast  our  electoral  votes  — the  only  State  to  do  so  — for  an  anti- 
Masonic  candidate  for  the  Presidency.  But  as  the  Phoenix  arose 
from  its  ashes  so  has  Masonry  in  Vermont  arisen  out  of  persecu- 
tion and  almost  annihilation,  until  today,  with  a population  of  355>ooo, 
we  have  thirteen  thousand  Masons,  and  are  one  of  the  strongest 
Masonic  states  in  the  Union  in  comparison  with  the  number  of 
our  people. 

It  has  been  a great  privilege  to  me  to  attend  this  Centennial  Com- 
munication. Our  own  Grand  Lodge  celebrated  its  centennial  seven- 
teen years  ago — just  one  year  previous  to  the  day  when  I was  made 
a Mason.  From  the  very  beginning  of  your  ceremonies  to  the  pres- 
ent moment  it  has  been  an  inspiring  and  uplifting  gathering  to  me, 
and  I go  back  to  Vermont  a better  Mason,  a wiser  Mason  and  a 
great  deal  more  enthusiastic  Mason  than  when  I came.  I thank  you. 
[Applause.] 

The  Grand  Master  : I present  to  this  Grand  Lodge  M.  W. 

Brother  Randolph  B.  Chapman,  Grand  Master  of  Connecti- 
cut. 

M.  W.  Brother  Chapman  spoke  as  follows : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Members  of  this  Grand 
Lodge : In  rising  to  address  you  I wish  to  say  that  I greatly  appre- 
ciate the  hospitality  that  I have  received,  and  the  cordial  greeting. 
I bring  to  you,  sir,  the  hearty  greetings  and  fraternal  congratula- 
tions of  the  25,000  Masons  of  Connecticut. 

I regret  that  I am  not  prepared  at  this  time  to  make  an  address, 
but  I want  you  to  know  that  I appreciate  your  courtesy  and  I shall 
go  away,  as  my  brother  who  has  just  preceded  me  says,  a better 
Mason. 

I might  have  brought  you  a wooden  nutmeg,  but  you  could  never 
find  a grater,  if  I did.  [Applause.] 


The  Grand  Master : I see  M.  W.  Brother  Richard  N. 


76 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


Hackett,  Grand  Master  of  North  Carolina,  here,  and  shall 
be  pleased  if  he  will  address  the  Grand  Lodge. 

M.  W.  Brother  Hackett  made  the  following  address : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : It  is  a great 

pleasure  to  me  to  be  with  you  on  this  auspicious  occasion,  and  to  be 
the  bearer  of  the  good  wishes  and  felicitations  from  the  twenty-two 
thousand  Masons  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  for  as  hand  clasps 
hand  and  heart  meets  heart  in  fraternal  love  we  feel  that  healing- 
sympathy  of  nature  which  breaks  in  upon  the  business  cares  and 
arduous  duties  of  life,  draws  with  it  the  Divinity  to  strengthen  us, 
and,  for  the  time,  opens  the  channel  through  which  Heaven  flows 
to  earth. 

I do  not  know  when  in  life  I have  received  more  inspiration,  espe- 
cially as  a Mason,  than  since  I arrived  in  your  city  and  attended  this 
communication  and  its  ceremonies. 

I felt  especially  inspired  on  yesterday,  when  io  my  mind  the  uni- 
versality of  Masonry  was  so  splendidly  displayed — when  I saw  and 
heard  brethren  of  different  sects  and  different  faiths  all  worshiping 
one  All-wise,  All-loving  Supreme  God,  assembled  without  one  single 
note  of  discord,  without  one  word  that  would  tell  of  anything 
except  a cemented  humanity,  and  in  words  of  eloquence,  greater 
than  which  it  has  never  been  my  pleasure  to  hear,  speak  of  this 
fraternity,  displaying  in  their  remarks  the  one  idea  more  than  any- 
thing else,  that  Masonry  is  a grand  brotherhood,  binding  the  world 
together — in  this  respect,  greater  than  the  church  itself,  because  it 
comprehends  all. 

It  was  with  some  amusement,  a few  moments  ago,  that  I heard 
your  Historian  recite  the  habits  of  the  ancient  Masons  in  our  coun- 
try. It  brought  to  my  mind  an  incident  which  recently  occurred,  or 
rather  a note  which  was  recently  discovered,  in  my  State,  by  a des- 
cendant of  one  who  prior  to  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  was 
one  of  the  grand  officers  of  North  Carolina.  He  had  been  promi- 
nent in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  later  was  a general  of  militia. 
It  was  written  to  another  distinguished  brother  Mason,  in  a county 
some  hundred  miles  away,  who  had  also  been  prominent  in  the 
Revolutionary  War  and  later  was  a general  of  the  militia.  The 
note  was  short  and  to  the  point,  and  read : 

My  Dear  General : I am  sending  you  two  wagons  loaded  with 

corn  and  bacon.  I also  send  in  one  of  the  wagons  my  keg.  You 


of  the;  grand  dodge;,  f.  a.  a.  m. 


77 

will  please  fill  it  with  the  same  grade  of  old  brandy  with  which  you 
filled  it  before.  I want  this  for  refreshments  for  the  brethren. 

[Signed] . 

P.  S. — My  keg  holds  52  gallons. 

[Laughter  and  applause.] 

On  last  Monday,  brethren,  I had  the  pleasure  to  visit  one  of  the 
oldest  towns  in  our  State,  a town  which  our  beloved  brother,  George 
Washington,  visited  during  a journey  in  the  south.  In  his  daily 
diary  were  written  these  words  : “On  yesterday  I spent  some  hours 

in  the  town  of  Plallifax.  It  appears  to  have  been  completed  and  is 
now  on  the  decline.”  I went  there  for  a historical  purpose,  to  dedi- 
cate a memorial  stone  to  Joseph  Montford,  who  was  commissioned 
in  1771  by  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  then  Grand  Master  of  England,  as 
Provincial  Grand  Master  of  all  America.  I do  not  know  if  any  one 
else  ever  held  a commission  as  broad  as  that.  From  all  the  history 
vve  have  been  able  to  read,  no  one  ever  did.  Upon  that  occasion  we 
had  the  great  pleasure  to  have  several  of  the  brethren  present  from 
the  state  of  the  brother  who  has  preceded  me  (Connecticut)  and  it 
was  my  pleasure  to  extend  to  them  our  hospitality,  and  a great 
time  it  was.  They  brought  with  them  some  wooden  nutmegs  to 
prove — if  they  had  forgotten  the  grips  and  signs — at  least  they  had 
evidence  of  the  place  of  their  residence.  [Applause.] 

Brethren,  these  assemblages  mark  the  great  milestones  in  the 
history  of  our  Craft ; each  one  calling  to  mind  the  vast  advance- 
ment which  has  been  made  by  our  fraternity.  They  are  such  gather- 
ings as  to  bring  to  every  one  present  a glorious  thought  of  what 
there  has  been ; a splendid  inspiration  of  what  there  must  be  for  the 
future.  Like  the  brother  who  preceded  me,  I do  not  hope  to  attend 
• he  next  centennial  celebration  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  North  Caro- 
lina, which  will  occur  in  1987,  but  I extend  a most  cordial  invita- 
tion to  the  Masons  who  are  to  be  among  the  descendants  of  each 
member  present.  [Applause.] 

I have  not  prepared  an  address  for  this  occasion — in  fact,  I do  not 
know  that  I could  do  justice  to  such  an  auspicious  event  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  in  any  lan- 
guage that  I could  command,  but,  like  the  brethren  who  have 
preceded  me,  I have  seen  in  the  magnificent  procession  of  history 
during  the  ages,  that  the  greatest  and  best  men  have  ever  been  the 
leaders  and  the  participants  in  our  splendid  fraternity.  [Applause.] 

I wish  to  say  that  never  in  the  history  of  the  Craft,  though  it 
may  reach  far  back  of  the  building  of  that  Temple  from  which 
many  think  it  had  its  origin,  to  the  present  moment,  has  there  been 


78 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


a greater  need  for  Masonry,  and  the  spirit  which  it  inculcates  and 
represents,  than  in  this  day  of  mad  rush  for  self-aggrandizement, 
of  materialism,  of  the  dominion  of  the  almighty  dollar.  I have  seen, 
and  my  heart  has  bled  at  the  sight,  humanity  crushed  down  and 
almost  without  hope,  and  yet  I have  seen  that  same  crushed  and 
broken  humanity,  when  the  hand  of  fraternal  love  was  stretched 
down  and  reached  beneath  the  shoulders  of  the  fallen  brother,  raised 
to  the  level  and  enabled  to  praise  God  because  in  Masonry 
there  is  still  that  same  principle  of  eternal  brotherhood  which  has 
ever  animated  the  Fraternity.  It  animates  all  Masonry.  It  is  pro- 
ductive of  a spirit  of  human  love.  It  is  productive  of  all  that 
tends  to  elevate  us  in  every  way  and  in  every  scope  in  life.  And  let 
that  spirit  animate  us  in  all  our  deliberations.  Let  it  go  with  us 
as  the  guiding  star  before  our  lives.  Let  us  live  it  before  all  the 
world,  because  Masonry  has  no  other  true  way  of  telling  to  the 
profane  the  real  teachings  of  our  great  Order — love  for  man ; the 
greatest  commandment  that  finite  beings  have — “Love  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself" — that  love  which  produces  peace  and  happiness  here, 
a spirit  comprehending  the  eternal,  and  which  will  prepare  us  for 
the  celestial  lodge  presided  over  by  The  Grand  Master  of  all. 
[Applause.] 

The  Grand  Master:  It  is  an  easy  transition  from  North 

Carolina  to  South  Carolina,  and  I therefore  take  pleasure  in 
introducing  M.  W.  Brother  James  R.  Johnson,  Grand  Master 
of  South  Carolina. 

M.  W.  Brother  Johnson  spoke  as  follows: 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren  : I would  be  dere- 

lict in  my  duty  and  would  do  violence  to  the  feelings  of  those  whom 
I represent  did  I not  bring  to  you  on  this  occasion  words  of  felici- 
tation from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina.  Personally,  I 
also  appreciate  the  address  of  your  Historian,  and  the  interesting 
ceremonies  of  this  communication. 

Beneath  the  palmettoes  today  the  hearts  of  fifteen  thousand 
Masons  are  filled  with  sympathy  and  pride  in  this  great  celebration. 

My  friends,  in  listening  to  the  Historian’s  treatise,  I feel  that  it 
touches  a deeper  chord  in  the  breasts  of  South  Carolina  Masons 
than  in  those  of  other  jurisdictions,  owing  to  the  fact  that  South 
Carolina  is  one  of  the  oldest  jurisdictions  on  this  continent.  Ma- 
sonry teaches  us  to  revere  antiquity,  and  in  that  spirit  I greet  you. 
I feel  that  from  our  standpoint  we  can  indeed  congratulate  you 


GRAND  SECRETARY. 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


81 


today.  It  seems  to  me  that  your  position  in  Washington,  the  center 
of  our  Government,  to  which  the  eyes  of  all  in  this  country  of  ours 
look  for  guidance,  and  from  which  the  laws  that  govern  us  are 
disseminated,  attracts  the  attention  of  the  world  to  the  importance 
cf  our  beloved  Institution. 

You  are  indeed  a privileged  people.  Strangers  are  frequently 
amongst  you,  and  as  the  graceful  lines  of  this  Temple,  this  beauti- 
ful building,  rising  in  all  of  its  grand  simplicity,  stand  for  the  beau- 
tiful tenets  of  our  Order,  so  I am  satisfied  from  the  record  you 
have  made  that  your  lives  will  be  a symbol  to  the  profane  world  of 
the  inner  beauty  of  the  soul. 

My  friends,  I do  not  wish  to  take  up  any  more  of  your  time,  as 
the  hour  is  growing  late,  and  as  I did  not  prepare  an  address  for 
this  occasion  is  self-evident. 

One  thought,  however,  I wish  to  leave  with  you,  and  that  is,  that 
when  that  great  day  comes,  and  that  day  certainly  will  come,  my 
brethren,  though  not  in  our  time,  but  possibly  in  our  children’s 
time,  when  the  dove  of  peace  shall  fly  from  country  to  country 
carrying  the  olive  branch,  I believe  that  the  Great  Architect  of  the 
Universe  will  make  Masonry  his  instrument  in  bringing  about 
Universal  peace. 

The  Grand  Master : It  gives  me  pleasure  now  to  intro- 

duce M.  W.  Brother  Wyndham  Stokes,  Grand  Master  of 
West  Virginia. 

M.  W.  Brother  Stokes  spoke  as  follows : 


Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : I bring  you  the 

greeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  West  Virginia.  I am  personally 
grateful  also  for  the  cordial  manner  in  which  I have  been  enter- 
tained here.  It  is  true  that  I am  glad  that  your  celebration  ends 
today,  but  I assure  you  I appreciate  it  most  heartily,  and  regret  that 
I can  return  only  words  for  acts  of  generous  hospitality. 

The  history  of  early  Masonry,  which  your  Historian  has  read  to 
us,  tells  of  the  great  deeds  that  have  been  done  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  one  thing  which  struck  me  was  his  relation  of  the 
wave  of  anti-Masonic  feeling  that  swept  over  this  country.  I doubt 
if  any  are  now  living  who  were  participants  at  that  period.  As  we 
quietly  sit  here  it  is  well  for  us  to  remember  that  our  fathers  and 
grandfathers  risked  their  lives  in  upholding  Masonry.  I was  also 
very  forcibly  impressed  by  the  remark  of  Brother  Hackett  as  to 
the  universality  of  Masonry,  as  exemplified  in  the  District  of  Co- 


82 


CENTENNIAL  celebration 


lmnbia,  and  was  impressed  with  what  I saw  at  the  Belasco  Theater. 
The  different  sects  and  creeds  were  in  evidence  and  spoke  beauti- 
fully and  nobly  for  our  principles. 

I do  not  know  anyone  who  has  expressed  the  universality  of 
Masonry  more  clearly  and  more  beautifully — has  expressed  its 
greatness  and  magnificence — than  Kipling  in  the  poem  from  which 
your  Historian  quoted  so  aptly  a few  moments  ago : 

An’  lookin’  on  it  backwards 
It  often. strikes  me  thus, 

There  ain’t  such  things  as  infidels, 

Excep’  per’aps  it’s  us. 

For  monthly,  after  labor, 

We’d  all  sit  down  and  smoke, 

(We  dursn’t  give  no  banquits, 

Lest  a Brother’s  caste  were  broke), 

An’  man  on  man  got  talkin’ 

Religion  an’  the  rest, 

An’  every  man  comparin’ 

Of  the  God  ’e  knew  the  best. 

So  man  on  man  got  talkin’ 

An’  not  a Brother  stirred 
Till  mornin’  waked  the  parrots 
An’  that  dam’  brain-fever  bird ; 

We’d  say  ’twas  ’ighly  curious, 

An’  we’d  all  ride  ’ome  to  bed, 

With  Mo’ammed,  God  and  Shiva 
Changin’  pickets  in  our  ’ead. 

The  ground  has  been  so  well  covered  in  regard  to  the  principles 
of  Freemasonry  by  the  brothers  who  have  preceded  me,  that  it 
would  be  useless  for  me  to  occupy  any  more  of  your  time. 

I thank  you  very  sincerely  for  the  reception  you  have  given  me, 
and  extend  to  you  the  greetings  and  congratulations  of  our  Grand 
Lodge,  and  I invite  you  and  each  of  you  to  come  and  meet  the 
“unterrified  and  unwashed”  on  their  native  heath,  in  the  little 
Mountain  State,  and  see  that  we,  like  yourselves,  have  preserved, 
pure  and  unsullied,  the  landmarks  and  customs  of  the  Craft. 

The  Grand  Master  : I now  take  pleasure  in  introducing  to 

this  Grand  Lodge  M.  W.  Brother  John  J.  Hull,  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  North  Dakota. 

M.  W.  Brother  Hull  spoke  as  follows : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren  of  the  Grand 
Lodge : I wish  first  in  behalf  of  the  Masonic  Grand  Lodge  of  the 


OF  THF  GRAND  DODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


83 


State  of  North  Dakota,  and  in  behalf  of  the  eight  thousand  Masons 
which  we  now  have,  to  thank  this  Grand  Lodge  and  those  who  have 
so  successfully  conducted  this  communication  and  celebration  for 
the  very  cordial  reception  which  I have  received  since  I have  been 
in  your  city. 

I wish  also  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  successful  termination  of 
the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  this  Grand  Lodge.  A hundred 
years  is  a long  time.  During  that  period  you  have  met  with  many 
obstacles,  but  with  your  devout  devotion  and  loyalty  to  the  principles 
of  the  fraternity  you  have  overcome  those  obstacles,  and  are  now 
successfully  celebrating  the  termination  of  your  first  centennial. 

But  what  is  the  future  to  be?  I hope  one  hundred  years  hence 
that  it  will  be  the  privilege  of  the  brethren  of  this  jurisdiction  to  as 
successfully  terminate  their  second  centennial  as  it  is  yours  today  in 
celebrating  the  first. 

But,  brethren,  it  seems  to  me  that  it  depends  somewhat  upon 
your  actions  as  to  what  the  second  centennial  will  be.  It  behooves 
you  to  regulate  your  lives  in  accordance  with  the  plumb  line  and 
the  level,  squaring  your  actions  by  the  square  of  virtue  and  spread- 
ing the  cement  of  brotherly  love  and  affection,  so  that  your  example 
may  be  worthy  of  imitation,  and  that  those  who  follow  you  may 
imitate  the  example  which  you  have  set ; and  in  so  doing  while  you 
will  not  be  present  at  that  gathering,  you  will,  in  a measure,  be  re- 
sponsible for  its  success  or  its  failure. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  occupy  your  time.  Time  is  swiftly  fleet- 
ing, and  there  are  others  to  follow  me. 

I wish  to  say  just  one  word  in  regard  to  the  jurisdiction  I repre- 
sent: Our  interests  there  are  different  from  the  interests  repre- 

sented in  the  East.  They  are  not  as  varied.  We  do  not  represent 
the  capital  which  is  incorporated  into  the  various  industries  in  the 
East,  but  we  boast  of  one  thing — that  is,  that  in  conjunction  with 
two  or  three  other  States  we  represent  the  bread  basket  of  the 
world.  Without  that  your  industries  would  fail. 

I represent  probably  the  youngest  jurisdiction  here  today.  We 
have  passed  our  twenty-second  mile-stone  in  the  history  of  Masonry. 
We  have  ninety-five  chartered  lodges,  with  three  lodges  working 
under  a dispensation,  a total  of  ninety-eight  lodges,  with  a member- 
ship at  the  present  time  of  about  eight  thousand  Masons;  peace  and 
harmony  prevailing  throughout  the  entire  jurisdiction. 

Most  Worshipful  Sir,  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  be  here  and 
represent  our  jurisdiction  upon  this  most  auspicious  occasion. 
Brethren,  I thank  you.  [Applause.] 


84 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


The  Grand  Master : It  is  desirable  that  we  should  have  a 

word  from  the  jurisdiction  from  which  our  own  arose,  the 
Grand  Jurisdiction  of  Maryland.  Unfortunately,  the  Grand 
Master  of  that  jurisdiction  is  not  present,  but  there  is  with 
us  one  whom  that  jurisdiction  delights  to  honor,  and  it  is 
with  unalloyed  pleasure  that  I present  to  you  the  only  living 
Past  Grand  Master  of  the  State  of  Maryland  Most  Wor- 
shipful Brother  John  M.  Carter. 

M.  W.  Brother  Carter  spoke  as  follows : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : It  gives  me  great 
pleasure  to  be  with  you  today  and  to  convey  to  you  the  greetings 
and  cordial  congratulations  of  your  old  mother,  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Maryland,  with  her  fifteen  thousand  Masons,  and  now  looking 
admiringly  upon  her  youngest  child,  with  three-fifths  of  that  num- 
ber, and  with  a sturdiness,  and  a prosperity,  both  spiritual  and  physi- 
cal, that  enables  her  to  compare  with  the  mother  herself  in  this 
celebration  of  the  hundredth  anniversary  of  her  birth. 

I have  been  very  much  impressed,  Grand  Master,  with  your  own 
carefully  prepared  address,  and  particularly  with  the  able  address 
of  your  Historian  in  commenting  upon  the  difficulties  and  the 
dangers  that  our  forefathers  underwent,  and  which  we  as  brothers 
of  the  present  day  can  hardly  realize  or  understand.  It  is  right  and 
proper  that  upon  occasions  of  this  sort  allusions  should  be  made 
to  the  difficulties  and  dangers  undergone  by  our  forefathers  which 
have  resulted  in  making  our  grand  fraternity  so  prosperous  and 
strong  as  it  is  at  the  present  day. 

Have  you  thought,  my  dear  brethren,  as  we  come  to  this  gathering 
today,  how  proud  we  all  are  of  the  fact  that  we  are  Masons,  and  how 
conspicuously  we  exhibit  to  the  outside  world  the  evidence  that  we 
are  members  of  the  Fraternity?  And  yet  it  is  only  through  the 
courage  and  heroism  of  our  forefathers  that  it  has  been  possible 
for  this  evidence  to  be  displayed.  If  it  were  now  a period  of  anti- 
Masonic  excitement,  to  which  allusion  has  been  made  by  your  His- 
torian, there  would  be  very  little  of  this  display  of  our  attachment 
to  the  Fraternity. 

That  was  a time  when  pulpit  and  rostrum  vied  with  each  other 
in  denunciation  of  the  Craft,  when  legislative  bodies  assumed  the 
functions  of  the  Inquisition,  and  when  even  courts  of  justice  lent 
their  aid  in  the  unholy  persecution  of  our  beloved  Fraternity. 
Think  of  that ! And  the  organization  of  a political  party,  with  but 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


85 


one  article  of  faith — unrelenting  enmity  to  the  institution  of  Free 
Masonry.  And  yet  a candidate  was  found,  a distinguished  citizen, 
William  Wirt  (I  regret  to  say  a resident  of  my  own  State),  who 
actually  accepted  the  nomination  and  canvassed  the  votes  of  his 
countrymen  upon  this  narrow  platform.  Henry  Clay,  Past  Grand 
Master  of  Kentucky,  was  offered  the  nomination  and  spurned  it  with 
disdain,  and  Andrew  Jackson,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Tennessee, 
taught  the  ambitious  aspirant  that  the  road  to  the  chief  magistracy 
of  the  Nation  was  not  by  warring  upon  the  most  beneficent  institu- 
tion ever  endowed  by  man.  We  cannot,  therefore,  give  too  much 
praise  or  homage  to  our  forefathers  in  Masonry,  and  we  cannot 
devote  too  much  time  and  attention  and  earnest  effort  to  follow  an 
example  so  worthy  of  admiration  and  emulation.  [Applause.] 

The  Grand  Master : I now  present  to  this  Grand  Lodge 

Bro.  George  A.  Beauchamp,  Grand  Secretary  of  Alabama. 
R.  W.  Brother  Beauchamp  spoke  as  folio  ivs : 


Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren  of  this  Grand 
Lodge : I did  not  expect  that  I would  be  called  on  to  address  you 

as  I expected  our  Grand  Master  to  be  present,  but  I regret  to  say 
he  was  compelled  to  go  to  New  York  City,  on  account  of  the  illness 
of  his  father.  Pie  may  arrive  in  time  for  the  banquet  this  evening. 
J will  not  take  up  your  time,  therefore,  in  his  absence,  as  I know 
I cannot  adequately  represent  him,  but  will  simply  state  that  it 
affords  me  much  pleasure  to  convey  the  congratulations  of  approxi- 
mately twenty-four  thousand  Masons  of  Alabama  on  this  occasion 
of  your  hundredth  anniversary. 

From  my  recollection  of  the  records,  the  delegates  to  organize  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  met  on  December  n,  1810. 
Five  Lodges  were  represented.  On  January  8,  1811,  they  again  met 
and  adjourned  until  February  12,  when  by  consent  the  convention 
adjourned  until  February  19,  at  which  time  they  again  met  and  on 
that  day  your  Grand  Lodge  was  organized.  From  that  small  begin- 
ning you  have  now  grown  into  a Grand  Lodge  composed  of  thirty 
some  odd  lodges  and  approximately  ten  thousand  members.  I con- 
gratulate you  most  heartily  on  this  great  achievement  and  hope  that 
you  will  increase  proportionately  during  the  next  one  hundred  years. 
[Applause.] 


On  motion  of  Past  Grand  Master  PJenry  K.  Simpson,  the 


86 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  voted  to  Bro.  Kenton  N. 
Harper,  the  Historian,  for  his  interesting  and  instructive 
address. 

On  motion  of  the  Grand  Secretary,  the  thanks  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  were  extended  to  Potomac  Lodge,  No.  5,  for 
the  use  of  the  Washington  gavel,  which  was  brought  to  this 
communication  by  Bros.  Lem.  Towers,  Jr.,  Jarrett  G.  Hud- 
dleston and  Richard  P.  Waddey  as  a guard  of  honor. 

The  Grand  Chaplain  then  delivered  the  closing  prayer  as 
follows : 

Our  Father  and  our  God,  as  the  sweep  of  years  has  solemnly  borne 
us  along  up  to  the  centennial  and  past  the  centennial  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  this  jurisdiction,  we  thank  Thee  for  all  that  the  years  have 
brought  to  us;  and  we  pray  Thee  that  the  success  which  has 
attended  our  way  may  be  an  incentive  to  greater  effort  and  encour- 
agement in  doing  that  which  is  right  and  proper,  and  may  even  the 
failures  and  experiences  of  the  past  prove  to  be  but  stepping  stones 
to  greater  achievement  and  success. 

And  may  we  now  at  this  time  as  we  close  this  Grand  Lodge 
commit  ourselves  to  Thy  care  and  keeping.  Thou  are  the  Great 
Shepherd.  Thy  heavenly  care  has  been  over  us  during  these  past 
years,  and  as  we  look  forward  into  a new  centennial  period  of  our 
existence,  may  it  be  with  optimistic  hope,  relying  on  Thy  Divine 
wisdom  and  providence;  and  may  Thy  name  receive  the  honor,  the 
praise  and  the  glory  evermore.  Amen! 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  closed  in  ample  form. 


BANQUET 

NEW  WILLARD  HOTEL 


February  Twentieth,  1911. 

8 p.  m. 


CENTENNIAL,  CELEBRATION. 


89 


IBamjiu't 

(At  8 o’clock  p.  m.  the  dinner  party  was  formed,  marched 
into  the  dining  hall  and  assumed  the  places  assigned  accord- 
ing to  the  seating  plan  for  the  dinner.) 

Bro.  E.  St.  Clair  Thompson,  chairman  of  the  Centennial 
Committee : Let  us  remain  standing  for  a moment  and  be 
reverently  attentive  to  the  invocation  of  our  Grand  Chaplain, 
the  Rev.  J.  Russell  Verbrycke. 

INVOCATION. 

By  Rev.  J.  RussEEE  Verbrycke,  Grand  Chaplain. 

O Thou  Infinite  Source  of  all  Grace,  Thou  Fountain  of  all  bless- 
ing, we  thank  Thee  for  the  gift  of  this  present  hour  and  for  the 
privileges  we  are  about  to  enjoy. 

We  pray  that  Thou  wilt  command  Thy  richest  blessing  to  rest 
upon  our  Grand  Lodge,  upon  our  Grand  Master,  and  upon  all 
these  who  are  associated  with  him  in  office,  and  upon  the  entire 
Fraternity. 

We  thank  Thee  for  our  past  history;  and  as  we  enter  into  the 
labors  of  the  future  we  pray  for  Thy  guidance. 

We  pray  Thee  to  bless  our  President,  whom  we  expect  to  be  with 
us  tonight;  guide  him  in  all  the  duties  of  his  office  by  Thy  Divine 
wisdom. 

May  Thy  richest  blessing  rest  upon  the  entire  Fraternity,  not  only 
in  our  own  jurisdiction,  but  elsewhere.  Grant  us  Thy  most  abundant 
blessing,  we  pray  Thee,  in  the  name  of  Him  who  is  worthy  to  re- 
ceive all  praise,  honor  and  glory,  world  without  end.  Amen. 

(Here  follows  the  program  as  outlined  in  connection  with 
the  menu)  : 


Brother  E.  St.  Ceair  Thompson  : 

Brethren : With  the  close  of  this  function — now  happily  begun — 

the  labors  of  the  Centennial  Committee  will  be  a thing  of  the  past. 

The  committee  is  prepared  to  assimilate  the  forgetfulness  of  those 
who  are  pleased  and  the  anathemas  of  those  who  are  not. 


90 


CENTENNIAL  celebration. 


We  trust,  however,  that  you  have  thoroughly  enjoyed  this  three- 
day  celebration  and  that  this  particular  feature  will  be  not  less 
pleasing  than  have  been  those  preceding  it. 

We  are  most  pleasantly  situated  as  to  surroundings,  for  the 
decorative  features  of  which  we  are  indebted  to  the  genius  and 
generosity  of  Past  Grand  Master  John  Henry  Small,  Jr.  [Applause.] 

I wish  to  publicly  express  my  appreciation  of  the  self  abnegation 
of  the  chairman  of  the  sub-committee  on  banquet,  which  makes  it 
possible  for  me  to  address  you  at  this  time.  The  well-known  diffi- 
dence of  Brother  Fulkerson  and  his  sincere  attachment  to  myself 
are  responsible  for  this — to  me — very  pleasing  privilege. 

I am  truly  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  stand  at  the  beginning  of  a 
century  and  speak  across  the  stream  of  time — a hundred  years 
wide — to  the  brethren  who  shall  in  2011 — as  we  are  now  doing — 
celebrate  the  close  of  one  and  the  beginning  of  another  century  of 
the  beneficent  existence  of  symbolic  Masonry  in  this  community. 

And  the  message  I would  send  is  an  expression  of  the  hope  that 
the  accomplishment  of  that  day  may  far  exceed  its  reasonable  prop- 
hecy in  this. 

When  our  Grand  Lodge  was  formed,  the  city  of  Washington  was 
a village,  more  or  less  straggling  in  appearance,  but  with  great  pre- 
tensions. 

In  population,  the  District  of  Columbia  ranked  22  in  the  list  of 
States  and  Territories;  having  some  twenty-four  thousand  inhabi- 
tants— about  sixteen  thousand  white  and  eight  thousand  otherwise. 
[Laughter.] 

It  now  ranks  44  in  population  and  has  331,000  inhabitants. 

After  the  lapse  of  a hundred  years,  we  have  a population  of  about 
180,000  white  and  the  balance — trying  to  be.  [Laughter.] 

In  the  United  States,  when  we  began  business  as  a Grand  Lodge, 
there  were  seven-and-a-quarter  million  people,  and  at  the  close 
of  the  century  we  count  ninety-three  millions,  who  owe  and  pay 
allegiance  to  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 

In  1811,  the  five  lodges — delegates  from  which  met  in  convention 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  our  Grand  Lodge — numbered  about  one 
hundred  members,  all  told. 

Today  we  have  probably  only  two  lodges,  either  of  which  has  a 
less  membership  than  the  total  of  the  five  lodges  in  1811 ; and  one 
of  these  was  chartered  only  about  two  months  ago,  with  sixty 
members. 

Today,  we  have  twenty-nine  lodges  with  a membership  of  more 
than  nine  thousand,  or  an  average  in  excess  of  three  hundred  men 


GRAND  TREASURER. 


centennial  celebration. 


93 


per  lodge.  An  average  annual  increase  for  the  jurisdiction  of 
some  ninety  men. 

For  a score  of  years  or  more  last  past,  the  annual  increase  has 
run  into  the  hundreds. 

Should  the  achievement  of  the  past  and  the  promise  of  the  pres- 
ent be  maintained  with  the  close  of  another  century  the  Craft  in 
this  community  should  be  large  in  numbers ; handsomely  endowed, 
and  a most  potent  factor  as  a moral  and  equalizing  influence ; mak- 
ing for  stability  in  the  State  and  all  that  is  desirable  in  citizenship. 
One  of  the  characteristics  of  the  Fraternity  is  its  conservatism ; 
always  so  completely  in  touch  with  its  environment  as  to  appear 
not  to  change  at  all.  Change,  though  a fact,  coming  so  gradually  as 
to  be  imperceptible  at  close  range. 

One  of  the  coincidences  in  our  own  experience  would  seem  almost 
like  the  persistency  of  type. 

We  began  with  a German  in  our  Grand  East.  We  close  a century 
with  one  in  that  position — also  a good  man  and  citizen — who  traces 
his  descent  from  that  very  remarkable  people. 

I have  the  pleasure  of  presenting  Most  Worshipful  Brother  J. 
Claude  Keiper,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, as  Toastmaster  of  this  occasion.  [Prolonged  applause.] 

M.  W.  Brother  J.  Claude  Keiper,  Toastmaster : 

Gentlemen:  The  Committee  on  Arrangements  have  planned  that 

my  introduction  at  this  time  is  simply  that  I might  appear  for  exhi- 
bition purposes,  to  fit,  in  a way,  into  the  general  scheme  of  the 
decorations.  [Laughter.]  Out  of  the  kindness  of  their  hearts,  they 
propose  that  my  remarks  shall  be  projected  upon  you  at  a time 
when,  through  the  mellowing  influence  of  the  good  things  named 
under  the  turtle  and  the  alligator,  you  may  receive  them  more 
charitably  than  you  might  at  present.  [Laughter  and  great  ap- 
plause.] I thank  you  for  your  cordial  reception. 

The  banquet  proceeded. 

The  Toastmaster : 

Gentlemen:  The  time  has  come  when  I cease  to  be  merely  a part 
of  the  decorations.  Our  capable  chairman,  Brother  Thompson,  to 
whom  we  are  largely  indebted  for  the  success  of  this  celebration,  in 
his  flattering  introduction  of  me  referred  to  the  coincidence  that  the 
first  Grand  Master  of  Masons  and  the  present  Grand  Master  should 
be  descended  from  the  great  family  or  nation  of  Germans,  which  he 
so  properly  praises.  I do  not  recall  whether  he  named  modesty  as 


94 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


one  of  its  characteristics,  but,  nevertheless,  I say  “properly  praises.” 
I notice,  however,  that  in  his  eulogy  he  makes  no  attempt  at  their 
classification,  knowing  doubtless  that  the  Germans  and  the  Dutch — 
allied  in  so  many  ways  as  to  be  virtually  one  family — have  already 
been  fully  classified — three  classes — [great  laughter].  I see  you  are 
all  familiar  with  the  classification.  From  his  general  appearance  of 
shrewdness,  and  from  my  acquaintance  with  him,  I am  inclined  to 
believe  that  our  good  brother  can  trace  his  own  ancestry  back  to 
the  land  of  Carnegie  and  golf,  not  a bad  recommendation,  I know, 
and  with  your  permission  I will  tell  you  a story  which  illustrates 
the  characteristics  of  the  Scotchman.  It  happened  that  a slater 
employed  upon  the  roof  of  a house  in  Scotland  fell  from  the  ladder 
and  lay  unconscious  on  the  pavement.  A pedestrian  who  ran  to  his 
aid  chanced  to  have  in  his  pocket  a flask  of  spirits,  and  to  revive  the 
poor  slater  began  to  pour  some  of  it  down  his  throat.  “Canny,  mon, 
canny,”  said  a by-stander,  “or  ye’ll  choke  him.”  At  this  the  uncon- 
scious slater  slowly  opened  his  eyes  and  said  quietly,  “Pour  awa’, 
mon,  pour  awa’ ; ye’re  doin’  fine.”  [Laughter.] 

With  this  gathering  we  are  bringing  to  a close  the  ceremonies 
which,  extending  over  a period  of  three  days,  were  inaugurated 
for  the  purpose  of  celebrating  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of 
the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 
In  the  conduct  of  these  ceremonies,  we  have  in  formal  reception 
welcomed  the  fraternity  at  large  in  our  new  Temple.  On  yesterday 
we  assembled  for  religious  worship,  to  testify  our  belief  in  the 
existence  of  a Supreme  Being  and  to  offer  up  the  incense  of  our 
gratitude  for  His  countless  blessings  to  our  Craft.  Today  we  met 
in  special  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  incorporate  in  its 
history  a record  of  this  auspicious  occasion,  the  attendance  of  our 
distinguished  brethren  from  widely-separated  sections  of  our  coun- 
try, and  the  satisfaction  and  pleasure  which  their  presence  afforded 
us.  The  final  scene  of  our  celebration  is  enacted  here  around  the 
banquet  table,  where,  with  elbow  touching  elbow,  with  all  thoughts 
of  care  and  responsibility  banished,  we  may  enjoy  unrestrained  the 
delights  of  true  fraternal  intercourse  and  of  good-fellowship  at  its 
best. 

There  is  one  thought,  however,  which  comes  to  me  with  pecu- 
liar emphasis  as  I look  over  this  assemblage — a thought  which  is 
best  expressed  in  the  words  familiar  to  us  all : “Masonry  unites  men 
of  every  country,  sect  and  opinion.”  I venture  to  say  there  are 
gathered  here  brethren  from  a large  majority  of  the  States  of  our 
Union,  men  of  divergent  opinions  and  a variety  of  creeds,  and  yet  in 
the  common  bond  of  Masonic  brotherhood  we  meet  on  the  intimate 


OF  THF  GRAND  FODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


95 


terms  of  perfect  equality,  with  a unity  of  thought  and  feeling  that 
is  possible  only  among  men  banded  together  for  high  purposes  and 
with  exalted  aims,  men  who  are  proud  of  their  heritage  and  deter- 
mined to  live  up  to  the  standard  set  by  those  from  whom  it  was  re- 
ceived, again  transmitting  it  with  its  luster  undimmed  and  its  beauty 
untarnished. 

We  are  on  the  threshhold  of  a new  century  of  existence,  in  an 
age  which  we  may  well  believe  will  be  marked  by  great  commer- 
cial development,  and,  let  us  trust,  by  an  equal  Masonic  advance- 
ment. One  in  which  men  everywhere  are  preparing  or  being  pre- 
pared to  recognize  new  and  better  influences,  new  and  truer  aspira- 
tions. An  age  where  violence  and  wrong  are  certain  to  be  relegated 
to  the  darkness  of  neglect  and  distrust  and  where  the  dominant  mo- 
tives of  human  activity  shall  be  those  derived  from  a proper  appre- 
ciation of  just  such  precepts,  just  such  principles  of  Brotherhood  as 
?re  taught  at  the  altars  of  Masonry.  One  need  not  be  an  unrea- 
soning optimist  to  see  the  radiance  of  the  promise  which  the  future 
holds  for  a community  and  a nation  which  is  able  to  rise  above  that 
sordid  ambition  which  would  strive  for  aggrandizement  without 
regard  to  the  means  by  which  it  is  achieved,  able  to  attain  the  ele- 
vating and  elevated  position  that  would  inevitably  follow  a constant 
adherence  to  the  broad-minded  and  liberal  course  which  recognizes 
the  universal  application  of  the  reason  for  dwelling  together  in 
unity  enunciated  by  the  Israelite  of  old  when  he  said,  “let  there  be 
no  strife,  I pray  thee,  between  me  and  thee,  for  we  be  brothers.” 
[Applause.] 

In  this  final  and  fitting  scene  at  the  close  of  our  celebration,  I feel 
that  it  is  no  vain  hope,  gentlemen,  which  I here  express,  that,  as  the 
years  go  by,  and  ere  another  century  has  been  added  to  the  scroll 
of  time,  this  great  Fraternity,  encompassing  the  whole  world  with 
its  universal  appeal  to  all  that  is  best  and  truest  in  man,  may  prove 
a providential  instrument,  by  tearing  down  the  false  and  building  up 
the  true,  in  the  hastening  of  that  day  when  through  faith  in  our 
fellow-man,  hope  for  his  future  and  charity  for  his  shortcomings, 
the  whole  human  race  shall  be  brought  under  the  enduring  influence 
of  those  beneficent  principles  which  constitute  the  foundation  upon 
which  the  superb  superstructure  of  our  Institution  has  been  erected. 
[Great  applause.] 

The  banquet  proceeded. 

The  Toastmaster  (after  an  interval  of  an  hour  and  ten 
minutes)  : 


96 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


Brethren : One  of  the  earliest  principles  taught  to  the 

neophyte  in  Masonry  refers  to  the  obedience  which  is  ex- 
pected of  him  in  regard  to  constituted  authority.  It  is  espe- 
cially appropriate  and  fitting,  therefore,  I take  it,  that  an 
assemblage  of  Masons  such  as  this  should  pay  due  respect 
to  constituted  authority  as  it  exists  in  that  desert  of  voters 
called  the  District  of  Columbia.  You  know  it  has  been 
said  that — 

“Of  all  the  good  things  in  this  good  world  around  us, 

The  one  most  abundantly  furnished  and  found  us, 

And  which;  for  that  reason,  we  least  care  about, 

And  can  best  spare  our  friends,  is  good  counsel,  no  doubt.” 

The  Commissioners  ot  the  District  of  Columbia  are  living 
exemplars  of  that  fact,  because  they  receive  more  advice  and 
really  pay  less  attention  to  it  than  anybody  else.  [Great 
laughter.] 

I take  great  pleasure,  gentlemen,  in  presenting  to  you  Mr. 
Commissioner  Rudolph.  [Applause.] 

Hon.  CUNO  H.  RUDOLPH : 

Mr.  Toastmaster  and  Gentlemen : This  has  been  such  a perfectly 

delightful  occasion  to  me  up  to  this  point  that  I am  sorry  to  sa^ 
some  mean  things  about  the  gentlemen  heretofore  referred  to  as 
respectively  the  descendant  of  a German,  the  descendant  of  a 
Scotchman  and  the  descendant  of  a near-Scotchman.  Against  this 
distinguished  trio  I lay  the  charge  of  false  pretenses  in  being 
instrumental  in  having  me  called  upon  to  speak.  When  my  good 
friend,  the  “near-Scotchman”  sitting  over  there,  invited  me  to  at- 
tend this  banquet  and  make  a speech  I suggested  that  he  had  better 
get  General  Johnston,  who  is  not  only  a real  orator,  but  a brother 
Mason — I am  neither!  And  Brother  Wilson  knows  it!  [Laugh- 
ter.]  So  I introduced  him  to  the  General  and  he  promptly  said: 
“Certainly;  I’ll  be  there.”  But  you  notice  he  is  not.  [Laughter.] 
T want  to  say,  however,  that  it  is  not  his  fault  that  he  could  not  be 
present  tonight. 

And  now,  contrary  to  all  promises  and  agreements,  comes  this  un- 
expected call  on  me  to  “say  something.”  To  illustrate  its  “unex- 


of  thf  grand  dodge;,  f.  a.  a.  m. 


97 


pectedness,”  may  I be  allowed  to  repeat  a story  told  me  some  years 
ago  by  a friend  whom  many  of  you  knew  and  loved?  It  ran 
something  like  this : 

A colored  father  took  his  ninth  offspring  to  the  parson  to  be 
christened.  The  parson  said  : 

“Well,  I’m  glad  you  are  here  again.  What  do  you  want  the  baby 
named  ?” 

“Well,  suh,”  replied  the  proud  opponent  of  race  suicide,  “doan’  yo’ 
know,  I sho’  dis’member.’ 

“Try  to  think.  I must  name  the  child  something.” 

“Well,  de  name  we  ’cided  on  wall  sumpin’  like  er  precious  stone.” 

“Ah,”  said  the  parson;  “was  it  Diamond?” 

“Nussuh,  tain’  no  Dimon.” 

“Ruby?” 

“Nussuh,  nussuh,  I know  it  ain’t  Ruby.” 

“Pearl?” 

“Tain’  dat  kin’  chile,  nohow.” 

“Onyx?” 

“Yassuh;  dat’s  it.  We  gwine  call  it  Onyx  ’cause  hit  kim  so 
onyxpected.”  [Great  laughter.] 

Now,  gentlemen,  as  I said,  I have  no  speech  prepared,  but  I 
want  to  offer  you  my  heartiest  congratulations  upon  the  splendid 
success  of  your  three-day  celebration.  It  was  not  my  privilege  to 
be  with  you  on  Saturday  night,  on  account  of  a previous  engage- 
ment, and  yesterday  I had  to  spend  in  Baltimore.  Many  who  were 
more  fortunate  have  spoken  to  me  enthusiastically  of  your  most 
unique  program  for  the  celebration,  and  the  successful  manner  in 
which  each  detail  was  carried  out.  It  has  proved  a function  that 
will  be  long  remembered  by  the  citizens  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 

Now  that  you  are  entering  upon  a second  century  of  activity  I 
want  to  wish  you  continued  and  increasing  success,  and  maybe 
before  the  century  comes  to  a close,  I may  have  become  one  of 
your  brethren.  [Great  applause.] 

The  Toastmaster  : Seated  on  my  left  tonight  is  the  Grand 

Master  of  a jurisdiction  close  to  that  of  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia, because  before  the  organization  of  our  own  Grand 
Lodge  we  were  subordinate  lodges  in  that  Grand  Jurisdiction. 
It  is  natural,  therefore,  that,  among  all  the  jurisdictions  of 
our  country,  extended  as  it  is,  we  should  feel  associated  in  a 
closer  and  more  intimate  way  with  that  Masonic  jurisdiction 


98 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


which  surrounds  us  practically  on  the  north,  on  the  east,  and 
on  the  west,  and  would  be  on  the  south  if  it  were  not  for  the 
river.  [Laughter.]  It  is  with  great  pleasure,  therefore,  that 
I introduce  to  you  the  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  Mary- 
land, who  seems  to  me  to  have  a perpetual  cinch  on  his  job 
[laughter],  because,  I think,  this  is  the  twenty-sixth  year  that 
he  has  served  as  Grand  Master,  and  in  the  whole  State  of 
Maryland  there  is  but  one  Mason  who  is  a Past  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  that  jurisdiction.  I introduce  to  you  Brother  Thomas 
J.  Shryock,  Grand  Master  of  Maryland.  [Great  applause.] 

Brother  THOMAS  J.  SHRYOCK: 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : I was  a little 

amused  at  what  was  said  here  this  evening  in  regard  to  this  ances- 
try business,  as  between  your  Grand  Master  and  the  chairman  of 
the  committee,  each  one  trying  to  be  bigger  than  the  other.  It  put 
me  in  mind  of  the  story  of  a Jew,  sitting  on  the  porch,  when  a top- 
loftical  fellow  came  up,  and  was  ordering  things  around  in  a way 
that  rather  irritated  our  Jewish  friend,  who  finally  said  to  him: 
'‘My  friend,  you  must  be  a man  of  importance;  what  is  your  name?” 
“My  name  is  Hancock.  I would  have  you  know  that  my  father 
was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence!” 

The  Jew  says:  “You’ve  got  nothing  on  me.  One  of  my  ancesters 
wrote  the  Ten  Commandments.”  [Great  laughter.] 

I want  you  to  understand,  Mr.  Grand  Master,  that  you  and  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  have  got  nothing  on  me,  because  my 
ancestors  were  Germans,  too,  rather  far  back,  it  is  true;  I don’t 
know  whether  the  first,  second  or  third  generation.  [Laughter.] 
Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren,  I can  assure  you 
it  gives  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  great  pleasure  to  felicitate 
you  upon  your  reaching  the  Masonic  age  of  manhood,  one  hundred 
years.  Masonry  is  of  such  ancient  origin  that  we  can  scarcely  look 
upon  an  organization  as  having  attained  its  manhood  until  it  has 
reached  its  century  mark. 

We  are  particularly  proud  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  it  is  always  a pleasure  to  me  to  visit  any  human  in- 
stitution that  has  lived  a hundred  years.  That  fact  shows  that  its 
foundation  stones  were  well  and  truly  laid.  It  is  a great  satis- 
faction to  us,  most  Worshipful  Sir,  to  know  that  the  first  founda- 
tion stone  of  this  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  was 
wrought  in  the  quarries  of  Maryland,  and  handed  to  you,  upon 


OF  THF  GRAND  FODGF,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


99 


which  you  have  built  your  magnificent  Grand  Lodge.  [Applause.] 

Who  your  ancestors  were,  there  may  be  some  little  doubt  about. 
[Laughter.]  However,  we  have  tried,  as  you  have,  to  honor  our 
ancestors,  and  if  we  had  been  as  successful  in  so  doing  as  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  has  been  in  honoring 
tbeir  f oref.ithei  s,  we  should  certainly  be  entitled  to  a measure  of 
gratitude. 

I congratulate  you,  Grand  Master,  and  I congratulate  the  Grand 
Lodge.  I sincerely  trust  that  when  the  brethren  shall  assemble 
to  celebrate  the  two  hundredth  anniversary  of  this  Grand  Lodge 
they  may  be  as  proud  of  the  achievements  of  you  and  your  brethren 
during  the  coming  century  as  you  are  proud  of  the  achievements  of 
the  past  century.  [Great  applause.] 

The  Toastmaster.  Gentlemen : I have  been  requested  to 

call  upon  a “gentlemen  of  the  cloth/’  and  do  so  in  the  full 
belief  that,  while  appearances  are  deceitful,  our  Reverend 
Brother  J.  Henning  Nelms,  Assistant  Grand  Chaplain,  will 
add  greatly  to  our  entertainment. 

Rev.  J.  HENNING  NELMS: 

What  is  there  about  my  appearance  that  is  so  deceitful? 
[Laughter.]  Does  my  friend  go  by  my  face,  or  is  it  the  clerical  cut 
of  my  vest?  That  is  the  only  thing  that  is  the  matter  with  me,  now 
that  I am  in  this  good  company. 

That  reminds  me  of  the  good  old  negro,  who  had  done  nothing 
wrong  at  all  except  to  steal  a few  chickens.  That  was  not  very 
wrong  for  him.  During  the  war  they  called  it  foraging.  The  judge 
wTho  tried  him  knew  his  weakness,  and  also  knew  that  that  weak- 
ness did  not  keep  the  negro  from  being  a • first-rate  citizen. 
[Laughter.]  The  evidence  was  absolutely  convincing  and  the 
judge  was  looking  about  for  some  excuse  for  the  culprit.  He 
said:  “Uncle  John,  do  you  drink?” 

It  was  the  first  time  Uncle  John  had  shown  the  slightest  interest 
in  the  proceedings.  He  said,  “Suh?” 

“Do  you  drink?” 

“What  you  say,  jedge?” 

“I  say,  do  you  drink?” 

The  judge  was  going  to  let  him  off  if  he  could  find  any  decent 
excuse  for  it,  and  was  anxious  to  have  some  testimony  to  give 
color  to  the  theory  that  the  old  negro  was  intoxicated  when  he 
committed  the  theft. 

“I  say,  do  you  drink?” 


100 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


“Jedge,  does  you  ax  dat  as  a inquiry,  or  as  a invitation?” 
[Great  laughter.] 

I expect  I am  really  called  up  this  evening  out  of  the  order  of  the 
program,  not  a bit  as  an  invitation  to  speak  to  you,  but  as  an  in- 
quiry whether  or  not  I know  any  new  joke.  [Laughter.]  My  only 
hope  of  salvation  in  that  regard  lies  upon  my  visiting  brethren  from 
other  jurisdictions. 

But  I am  going  to  risk  telling  a story  that  perhaps  Dr.  Johnson 
and  my  good  friend  Dr.  Pope  have  heard  me  tell  many  times  before, 
and  so  they  need  not  listen.  Is  the  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania 
here  ? 

A Voice.  No. 

Brother  NELMS.  Then  I will  locate  my  story  there.  [Great 
laughter.]  Never  mind  where  it  happened.  He  was  an  old-time 
negro  preacher — not  a Methodist,  a Baptist,  a Presbyterian,  or  even 
an  Episcopalian — just  a “nigger  preacher.”  He  talked  whenever  he 
could  get  a chance  and  could  get  anybody  to  listen.  He  would  stop 
on  the  street  to  talk  even  when  there  was  nobody  to  listen,  and 
would  keep  on  talking  until  somebody  came.  One  day  he  happened 
to  drop  into  St.  Clement’s  Episcopal  Church.  That  church  had  a 
splendid  ritual,  beautiful,  symbolic,  almost  as  much  so  as  that  of  a 
Masonic  lodge.  The  spectacular  always  appeals  to  the  negro.  As 
1 say,  he  wandered  in  there  one  day,  heard  the  ringing  of  the  bells, 
saw  the  vestments,  the  choir  boys,  and  heard  the  music,  and 
breathed  the  sweet  fragrance  from  the  incense  pot.  It  all  appealed 
to  him  as  beautiful  beyond  everything  he  had  ever  seen  or  heard. 
He  thought,  “If  I can  get  something  like  that  in  my  church  I can 
catch  a coon  in  Pennsylvania.”  So  he  got  a hundred  choir  boys. 
Did  you  ever  see  a negro  choir  in  vestments.  [Laughter]  You 
don’t  see  anyone  directing  it  or  beating  time,  but  you  hear  no  dis- 
cord ; the  harmony  is  as  perfect  as  if  they  were  well  trained.  The 
boys  marched  up  and  down  the  aisles,  the  smallest  boy  at  the  end 
swinging  the  incense  pot.  It  went  off  beautifully;  everything  was 
a success;  the  house  was  packed;  the  perfume — [laughter] — the 
perfume  was  all  that  could  be  expected  from  the  incense — and  other 
sources.  [Great  laughter.]  The  services  were  about  to  close;  the 
last  hymn  had  been  announced ; the  boys  marched  in  perfect  order 
and  form ; the  old  preacher  thought  it  was  going  to  be  a splendid 
success,  but  he  happened  to  look  at  the  small  boy  at  the  end  of  the 
line  and  saw  that  he  had  no  incense  pot.  Not  wanting  to  interrupt 
the  regular  order,  the  old  preacher  joined  with  the  choir  in  singing, 


HISTORIAN. 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


103 


but  fixing  his  eye  specially  and  significantly  on  that  boy — he  said 
or  sang' — 

“And  what  have  you  done  wid  dat  incense  pot?” 

The  boy,  without  losing  time,  tune  or  measure,  sang — 

“ Drapt  it  in  de  aisle,  it  got  too  durned  hot.” 

[Great  laughter.] 

The  Toastmaster.  Brethren : I took  occasion  earlier  in 

the  evening  to  allude  to  the  fact  that  Masonry  brings  together 
men  of  different  countries.  As  an  illustration  of  that,  there 
has  been  with  us  in  our  celebration  the  Grand  Master  of  a 
jurisdiction  entirely  disconnected  politically  from  the  United 
States.  Upon  his  introduction  and  reception  in  the  office  of 
the  Grand  Master  one  of  our  own  brethren  said  to  him: 
“You  come  from  a jurisdiction  which,  it  seems  to  me,  should 
by  all  means  be  a part  of  the  State  of  Maine.” 

He  replied:  “That  depends,  of  course,  on  the  point  of 

view.  It  has  always  seemed  to  us  that  the  State  of  Maine 
should  be  a part  of  the  jurisdiction  of  New  Brunswick.” 

In  these  days  of  the  much-discussed  reciprocity  between 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  while  there  may  be  some  dis- 
pute as  to  the  benefits  which  may  accrue  to  the  two  countries 
from  its  adoption,  some  doubt  as  to  which  may  derive  the 
greater  benefit,  and  therefore  a question  as  to  whether  the 
treaty  shall  be  ratified  or  not,  for  you  know  that  after  all 
these  things  are  determined  on  the  old  principle  of  whose  ox 
is  being  gored,  it  is  gratifying  to  us  that  there  can  be  no 
doubt  as  to  the  “reciprocity”  of  fraternal  goodwill  between 
our  Grand  Lodges.  It  is  with  unalloyed  pleasure  that  I now 
present  to  you  a Brother  Grand  Master  from  a jurisdiction 
which  requires  no  treaty  to  emphasize  the  affiliations  that 
exist  between  us — Most  Worshipful  Brother  Henry  S. 
Bridges,  Grand  Master  of  New  Brunswick.  [Applause.] 

[Note  by  the  reporter.  Pending  the  remarks  of  Brother  Bridges, 
the  President  of  the  United  States  appeared,  was  greeted  with  great 
applause,  all  the  brethren  rising,  and  was  then  seated  on  the  right 
of  the  toastmaster.] 


104 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


Brother  HENRY  S.  BRIDGES: 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Members  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia , and  Brethren : I thank  your 

Grand  Master  for  the  kind  words  he  has  uttered.  Ever  since  I 
appeared  in  this  city  on  Friday  evening,  I have  been  touched  by 
your  kindly  reception  and  have  felt  glad  to  be  here. 

Your  Grand  Secretary,  I think,  said  he  thought  New  Brunswick 
ought  to  belong  to  the  State  of  Maine.  But  we,  on  the  other  side 
of  the  line,  have  always  held  that  the  State  of  Maine  ought  to 
belong  to  New  Brunswick.  While  the  name  of  Ashburton  is  not 
held  in  adoration,  we  always  thought  you  had  a great  Secretary 
of  State  in  Daniel  Webster. 

It  is  impossible  for  me  on  this  occasion  adequately  to  express 
the  sentiments  with  which  my  heart  is  overflowing;  but  I wish  to 
congratulate  you,  Most  Worshipful  Brother  Keiper,  on  the  success 
which  has  attended  the  proceedings  of  the  Centennial  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  These  proceedings  so  far  have 
given  me  the  most  unfeigned  pleasure,  and  I shall  carry  back  with 
me  to  my  own  jurisdiction  the  most  lively  sense  of  the  cordiality  of 
the  reception  which  has  been  extended  to  me. 

Is  it  not  significant,  my  brethren,  to  us  gathered  here  tonight,  that 
in  all  the  Lodges  on  this  great  continent  the  teachings  of  Free- 
masonry and  our  intercourse  are  founded  on  the  principle  of  the 
broadest  toleration?  A man  is  not  judged  according  to  his  origin, 
his  fortune  or  his  position.  What  is  required  of  us  all  as  Masons 
is  to  be  free  men  of  good  character  and  ready  at  all  times  to  give 
our  heartiest  support  to  the  activities  of  our  Lodge  and  the  work 
it  represents.  Freemasonry  aspires  to  form  men,  to  strengthen  char- 
acter, and  to  supply  the  country  and  society  with  well  tempered  na- 
tures, which  are  ready  to  assist  their  fellow  men,  to  promote  every- 
thing that  really  adds  to  the  glory  of  the  country,  and  to  help 
forward  whatever  tends  to  the  welfare  of  mankind. 

Throughout  the  Lodges  of  the  whole  world  a spirit  of  sincere 
fraternity  is  the  spirit  which  animates  the  members  of  the  Craft. 
This  spirit  of  fraternity  is  the  soul  of  the  activity  of  all  good 
Masons.  It  unites  the  members  of  the  Craft  by  ties  the  power  of 
which  is  known  to  us  all,  for  we  have  experienced  it  repeatedly. 

Facts  might  be  multiplied  in  this  connection,  but  I shall  limit 
myself  to  these  three  essential  ideas : Toleration,  Charity  and  Fra- 
ternity— a glorious  trio.  Masons  throughout  the  world  understand 
the  meaning  of  these  terms  and  all  that  is  noble  and  grand  in  them. 

I took  occasion  in  the  Lodge  room  this  morning  to  speak  briefly 
about  the  part  that  Masonry  has  played  in  the  history  of  the  world. 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


105 


In  my  opinion  it  has  had  a profound  influence  on  the  actions  of 
mankind  on  great  critical  occasions.  The  year  1811,  in  which  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  was  organized,  was  a criti- 
cal point  in  the  history  of  the  world.  Napoleon  controlled  the 
greater  part  of  Europe,  but  in  the  Masonic  Lodges  throughout 
Germany  liberty  found  a rallying  point,  and  plans  were  secretly  ma- 
tured there  which  finally  led  to  his  downfall. 

Coming  down  nearer  to  the  present  day,  I may  say  that  I have 
heard  it  stated  that  an  interchange  of  Masonic  greetings  across  the 
ocean  prevented  war  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain, 
when  the  dispute  on  the  Venezuela  question  seemed  ready  to  burst 
into  a fratricidal  quarrel.  If  this  be  true,  it  is  a most  interesting 
fact  for  us  all,  and  one  which  should  give  rise  to  profound  thought. 

We  should,  therefore,  as  Masons,  never  disdain  the  occasions 
which  may  be  presented  to  us  for  promoting  peace  and  harmony 
between  the  two  great  branches  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  on  this 
continent,  for  honorable  and  serious  men  can  make  their  influence 
felt  everywhere,  even  though  they  may  not  possess  power  or  fame. 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren,  I have  been  deeply 
touched  by  the  cordial  way  in  which  you  have  received  me,  coming 
from  a foreign  jurisdiction.  I have  been  profoundly  impressed  by 
the  evidences  of  material  prosperity  to  be  seen  everywhere  through- 
out this  great  Republic,  and  particularly  by  the  appearance  of  Wash- 
ington itself,  for  this  is  my  first  visit  to  your  capital.  What  I have 
seen  has  made  me  feel  sure  that  all  is  not  now  so  “quiet  on  the 
Potomac”  as  it  used  to  be.  [Laughter.]  There  is  the  strongest  evi- 
dence, too,  that  “government  by  the  people  for  the  people”  is  not 
destined  to  pass  from  the  earth,  for  what  measure,  my  brothers, 
can  be  more  truly  in  the  interests  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  race  on  this  great  continent  of  ours  than  the  measure  of 
Reciprocity  which  wise  statesmen  on  both  sides  of  the  line  have 
brought  so  near  to  consummation,  and  which  your  own  honored 
President  has  made  peculiarly  his  own.  [Applause  and  cheers.] 

Reciprocity  is  one  mode  of  exhibiting  a fraternal  spirit,  but 
there  are  others.  I wish  I could  invite  you  to  attend  the  centennial 
of  our  Grand  Lodge,  but  that  is  impossible,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
New  Brunswick  was  not  organized  until  1867,  and  1967  is  as  yet 
far  distant;  but  if  you  get  tired  of  the  heat  of  Washington  in  the 
month  of  August,  just  come  up  to  attend  the  next  annual  communi- 
cation of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Brunswick  and  get  a sniff  of  the 
cool  breezes  of  the  Bay  of  Fundy.  I assure  you  you  will  all  be 
greeted  with  a truly  New  Brunswick  welcome. 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  Keiper,  I congratulate  you  again 


106 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


on  the  success  of  this  celebration,  and  I venture  to  express  the  hope 
that  the  next  century  will  be  a grand  one  for  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  that  peace  and  harmony  may  pre- 
vail throughout  your  jurisdiction  during  your  period  of  office. 
[Applause.] 

The  Toastmaster.  My  Brethren,  I feel  that  I should  not 
be  performing  my  whole  duty  as  the  official  representative  of 
our  fraternity  here  assembled,  and  of  the  thousands  through- 
out our  city  who  are  with  us  in  thought,  as  well  as  our 
assembled  guests  from  other  jurisdictions,  if  I did  not  seize 
this,  the  first  opportunity,  of  endeavoring  to  give  expression 
to  the  pleasure  which  we  feel  in  the  presence  here  of  our  dis- 
tinguished Brother,  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
[Great  applause.] 

Our  fraternity  is  essentially  a patriotic  organization. 
Love  of  country  has  ever  been  one  of  its  pronounced  charac- 
teristics, and  out  of  that  necessarily  arises  a devoted  loyalty 
to  the  Chief  Executive  of  the  United  States,  especially  when 
he  is  a Mason.  [Applause.]  In  the  feeling  and  with  the 
hope  that  the  lessons  received  by  every  man  who  has  crossed 
the  threshold  of  Freemasonry  will  prove  an  incentive  to  him 
in  the  high-minded  and  patriotic  performance  of  his  duties, 
and  with  the  assurance  that  he  has  our  best  wishes  for 
ultimate  success  in  all  his  endeavors,  it  gives  me  the  greatest 
pleasure  to  present  to  you  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
Brother  William  H.  Taft.  [Great  applause,  all  rising.] 

Brother  WILLIAM'  HOWARD  TAFT : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : I feel  as  if  I had 

been  unduly  exalted  this  evening,  for  I have  not  been  a Past  Master 
of  any  Lodge,  and  I have  no  right  to  be  here.  It  has  been  a great 
pleasure  to  me,  since  I have  been  in  Masonry,  to  attend  Lodges  and 
note  the  wonderful  power  for  the  preservation  of  inspiring  tradi- 
tions that  the  perpetual  life  of  a Lodge  furnishes. 

In  Marietta  I attended  a Lodge  which  was,  during  the  Revolution, 
an  ambulatory  lodge,  traveling  from  place  to  place,  until  it  settled, 
and  properly  settled,  in  that  State  which,  when  one  reaches  it,  one 
never  desires  to  depart  from  it — Ohio.  [Great  applause.] 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


107 


It  is  a great  pleasure  to  be  permitted  to  take  any  part  in  the 
meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Centenary  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  after  a hundred  years  of  preservation 
and  the  maintenance  of  the  principles  of  highest  morality  and 
religion,  sweetened  by  the  brotherhood  that  no  one  knows  until  he 
has  participated  in  the  proceedings  of  a Masonic  Lodge.  [Ap- 
plause.] 

But  there  is  one  thing  that  surprises  me,  and  I must  think  is  a 
little  new  in  a Grand  Lodge;  that  is  a reference  to  pending  legis- 
lation. [Laughter.]  Our  Brother  Bridges  has  mentioned  reci- 
procity. Perhaps  the  spirit  of  Masonry  justifies  its  introduction 
here.  [Applause.]  I am  delighted  to  know  that  Brother  Bridges 
comes  here  not  panoplied  as  for  war,  but  for  peace ; that  he  does 
not  look  forward  to  annexation  [laughter]  or  the  drying  up  of  the 
St.  John’s  river  [laughter]  ; nor  has  he  any  of  those  dreams  that 
afflict  certain  gentlemen  with  a lively  imagination  [laughter],  some 
of  whom  are  only  innocent  in  their  flights,  and  others  of  whom,  I 
am  afraid,  have  a motive  a little  different  from  that  of  territorial 
aggrandizement.  [Laughter  and  applause.] 

I really  believe  with  our  Brother  Bridges  that  the  consummation 
of  that  agreement  and  its  confirmation  by  the  Dominion  Parliament 
and  by  Congress  will  really  cause  the  drawing  together  of  two 
great  nations.  [Great  applause.]  But  it  is  the  drawing  together  by 
closer  business  and  social  relations,  and  not  by  political  union. 
[Applause.] 

It  has  been  my  great  pleasure  to  spend  most  of  sixteen  summers 
in  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  on  the  north  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence 
river,  where  it  is  sixteen  miles  in  width,  where  the  Laurentian 
mountains  come  down  to  that  estuary  of  the  sea,  and  where  the  air 
in  the  summertime  in  its  effect  is  like  champagne,  without  the  morn- 
ing after.  [Laughter.]  And  there  I have  come  to  know  the  people 
of  Canada,  to  understand  their  aspirations,  and  to  feel  that  they 
believe  sincerely  in  their  independence  and  their  future  as  an  inde- 
pendent government.  [Applause.]  We  have  a great  country,  a 
great  territory;  we  reach  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  from  the  Ca- 
nadian line  to  the  gulf ; we  have  Alaska,  we  have  Porto  Rico,  we 
have  the  Philippines — heaven  knows  we  have  enough.  [Laughter.] 
Before  we  look  out  for  other  burdens  and  other  responsibilities  let 
us  show  to  the  world  that  we  can  meet  perfectly  those  we  have. 
[Applause.]  Hence  it  is  that  our  Brother  Bridges  is  right  in  his 
feeling  that  this  reciprocity  arrangement  means  nothing  but  good 
for  both  countries.  [“That  is  right !”  and  applause.] 

But  I am  not  the  whole  thing,  [“Yes,  you  are!’’],  nor  are  the 


108 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


Lower  House  and  I the  whole  thing.  [Laughter.]  There  is  a great 
and  distinguished  body  that  sits  at  one  end  of  the  Capitol  that 
moves  with  due  deliberation.  [Laughter.]  Sometimes  it  seems  as  if 
it  were  too  dignified  and  too  deliberate  to  reach  any  conclusion  on 
any  subject.  [Laughter  and  applause.]  But  in  the  hundred  years 
of  this  Grand  Lodge  statutes  have  been  enacted,  laws  have  passed 
Congress,  questions  have  been  considered  and  reached  an  issue  and 
a vote  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  [Laughter.]  And,  being 
a true  Mason,  an  optimist,  I have  every  hope  that  that  issue  may 
be  properly  considered  and,  after  proper  consideration,  may  be 
properly  determined.  [Applause.] 

I speak  with  due  moderation.  I would  hurry  no  one.  But  time 
passes,  and  “ a stitch  in  time  saves  nine.”  [Laughter.] 

Now,  my  brethren,  I have  detained  you  too  long.  [Cries  of  “No! 
No!  ”].  It  is  a great  comfort  to  come  among  you  and  to  feel  that 
we  are  friends  and  brothers,  though  it  has  not  been  my  good  for- 
tune to  know  many  of  you  or  to  speak  with  many  of  you,  and  yet 
to  feel  that  the  same  aspiration  throbs  in  you  that  throbs  in  me,  that 
is,  to  feel  as  a true  Mason  should  feel.  I thank  you.  [Long  con- 
tinued applause.] 

The  Toastmaster:  There  are  present  a number  of  dis- 

tinguished brothers  from  other  jurisdictions,  and  it  is  my 
hope  that  we  shall  be  able  to  receive  from  each  of  them  a 
message,  brief  though  it  may  be.  With  that  purpose  in 
view,  I shall  ask  at  this  time  Most  Worshipful  Brother 
Richard  N.  Hackett,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  the  State 
of  North  Carolina,  to  bring  to  us  a message  from  his  juris- 
diction. [Applause.] 

Brother  RICHARD  N.  HACKETT : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master : I feel  highly  honored  in  being  called 
upon  to  follow  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  the  entertain- 
ment of  this  assemblage,  though  I must  admit  that  it  is  with  great 
trepidation  that  I rise  in  response  to  your  call,  after  such  a splendid 
address  from  the  highest  official  in  the  world.  Yet  as  Grand  Master 
of  the  Masons  of  North  Carolina  I would  be  recreant  to  the  trust 
repose  in  me  did  I not  attempt,  in  my  own  feeble  way,  to  present 
to  you  the  congratulations  of  the  brethren  of  the  Grand  Jurisdiction 
which  I represent  upon  celebrating  the  one  hundredth  anniversary 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  to  give  to  you 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


109 


a godspeed  and  fervent  well  wishes  from  every  loyal  citizen  and 
Mason  in  the  commonwealth  of  North  Carolina.  [Applause.] 

It  is  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  I have  just  listened  to  the  lan- 
guage of  the  distinguished  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  Though  he  stands  high  in  the  political  world,  yet  the 
sentiment  of  brotherhood  breaths  through  every  sentence  he  has 
just  uttered,  telling  to  every  man  and  every  Mason,  his  realization 
that  he  has  confidence  in  the  manhood  and  the  Masonry  of  America, 
and  that  he  is  one  with  us,  our  equal,  though  we  have  elevated  him 
to  a position  far  superior  to  any  which  we  occupy.  [Applause.] 

Of  course  it  is  not  proper  that  anything  of  a political  nature 
should  enter  into  discussion  in  a Masonic  meeting,  yet  I wish  to  say 
to  that  distinguished  Mason,  being  of  the  opposite  political  party, 
the  men  of  my  own  section,  the  Southland,  realize  that  he  has  acted 
without  partisanship  in  the  appointment  of  officials  for  the  perform- 
ance of  the  great  duties  pertaining  to  the  business  of  this  country, 
recognizing  the  man  above  the  party,  thus  reaching  a place  in  the 
hearts  of  Southern  men,  which  can  only  be  found  when  the  heart 
and  soul  of  a great  man  reaches  out  and  clasps  the  hearts  and 
souls  of  his  fellowmen.  [Applause.] 

Masonry  is  the  great  exponent  of  wisest  human  thought,  its 
achievements  the  cumulative  resultant  of  purest  and  noblest  human 
action.  The  structural  grandeur  of  its  moral  institutions  may  be 
conceived,  and  its  elevating  and  ennobling  influences  may  be  felt,  but 
neither  can  be  fully  expressed.  Standing  at  the  beginning  of  this 
new  century  of  your  fraternal  life,  looking  backward  through  the 
vista  of  years  of  the  one  through  which  you  have  passed,  weighted 
with  its  wonderful  successes  in  the  field  of  accomplishment,  we  see 
that  Masonry  has  fully  comprehended  every  advancement  and  held 
its  proud  position  as  a preserver  of  peace  on  earth  and  a conserver 
of  human  liberty. 

Like  some  tall  cliff  which  rears  its  awful  form. 

Swells  from  the  vale  and  midway  leaves  the  storm, 

Though  round  its  base  the  angry  clouds  may  spread, 
Eternal  sunshine  settles  on  its  head. 

Since  our  first  parents  were  expelled  from  Eden’s  Garden,  there 
has  been  but  one  really  great  question  in  the  world,  and  that  one, 
how  to  make  man  better.  In  all  the  evolutions  of  civilization  and 
religion,  of  liberty  and  learning,  under  the  ceaseless  ebb  and  flow 
of  circumstances,  is  the  abyss  of  real  being,  whose  currents  circu- 
late through  you  and  me,  and  whose  outlet  has  a constant,  everlast- 
ing tendency  from  better  to  best. 


110 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


Masonry  today  is  above  all  things  a character  builder.  Character 
is  greater  than  intellect,  and  sways  the  life  of  a man,  with  all  its 
energies  and  powers,  as  completely  as  the  silent  influence  of  the 
moon  controls  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  mighty  ocean.  Masonry  is  a 
builder  of  men.  We  can  point  with  pride  to  its  history  during  the 
centuries  of  the  past,  as  a living,  lasting  memorial  and  testimony  of 
the  excellence  of  its  works.  Nations  and  dynasties  have  fallen,  em- 
pires have  passed  away,  cities  have  crumbled  and  left  only  colossal 
ruins  to  mark  their  past  magnificence,  grim-visaged  war  has  devas- 
tated the  earth,  and  pestilence  and  famine  have  swept  with  blighting 
breath  over  prosperous  lands ; but  through  all  this  and  in  spite  of  all 
this,  Masonry  has  lived  and  thrived,  and  has  gone  on  in  its  grand 
work,  teaching  the  lesson  of  universal  brotherhood,  and  proclaiming 
“peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men.”  In  the  darkness  of  middle  ages, 
when  ignorance  and  bigotry  hovered,  vulture-like,  over  all  the 
world,  Masonry  was  the  one  star  which  sent  a silvery  ray  through 
the  long,  dark  night  of  barbarism,  whose  trembling  rays  revealed  the 
pleasures  of  refinement  and  mental  activity ; then,  like  a loving 
mother,  it  led  mankind  to  the  shrine  of  civilization,  where,  after 
paying  his  devotions,  each  arose  with  renewed  vigor  and  pursued 
the  grand  march  of  destiny.  The  influence  of  Masonry  has  ever 
been  as  a ship  deep  freighted  with  immortal  treasures,  breaking  the 
sea  of  life  into  fadeless  beauty  as  she  sails,  bearing  to  every  shore 
the  seeds  of  truth,  goodness,  piety  and  love,  to  flower  and  fruit 
perenially  in  the  rich  soil  of  the  heart  and  mind. 

I would  not  have  you  think  that  Masonry  is  identical  with  or 
assumes  to  do  the  work  of  the  church.  The  one  deals  with  the  nat- 
ural, the  other  with  the  spiritual.  Masonry  makes  the  man,  religion 
redeems  the  soul.  Each  has  its  duty  to  perform,  and  the  two  go 
hand  in  hand  in  the  labor  of  replacing  man  in  the  estate  from  which 
he  has  fallen,  and  again  stamping  him  with  the  image  of  his  crea- 
tive God.  It  is  for  Masonry  to  make  a suitable  casket  in  which  to 
place  the  priceless  jewel,  a redeemed  immortal  soul. 

The  historical  success  of  Masonry  in  the  field  of  accomplish- 
ment shows  what  a responsibility  rests  on  you  and  me.  A past 
resplendent  with  magnificent  achievement,  a present  weighted  with 
duties  and  responsibilities,  and  a future  pregnant  with  unborn  possi- 
bilities— what  an  inspiraton  for  us  to  labor  for  grander  results — 
and  to  elevate  Masonry  even  to  a higher  plane  than  it  has  yet 
reached,  and  therewith  elevate  mankind. 

We  know  not  where  we  are  in  its  duration  and  development.  We 


CENTENNIAL  COMMITTEE. 

CLAUDE  F.  KING.  CHARLES  J.  JAMES.  LUTHER  F.  SPEER. 

E.  ST.  CLAIR  THOMPSON,  Chairman. 

ANDREW  WILSON.  THOMAS  C.  NOYES.  ROE  FULKERSON. 


CENTENNIAL,  CEEEBRATION. 


113 


may  be  in  the  opening  manhood,  or  we  may  yet  be  in  the  cradle. 
The  world  and  all  therein  recognize  the  universal  law  of  progress. 
Even  on  toward  the  flying  perfect. 

Profounder,  profounder  man’s  spirit  must  dive, 

To  his  aye  rolling  orbit  no  goal  will  arrive, 

The  heavens  that  now  draw  him  with  sweetness  untold, 

Once  found,  for  new  heavens  he  spurneth  the  old. 

The  Mason  who  fails  to  perform  well  the  part  assigned  to  him. 
not  only  degrades  himself,  but  delays  the  progress  of  the  entire 
Fraternity.  In  our  Order,  as  everywhere,  we  find  the  divine  law 
of  compensation.  He  who  labors  most  shall  most  receive.  The 
student  of  its  ritualistic  beauty,  allegorical  illustrations  and  sym- 
bolic representations,  soon  learns  that  beneath  all  outward  show 
there  is  a deep  meaning,  for  it  teaches  him  his  duty  to  himself,  his 
fellowman  and  his  God.  Let  him  but  pursue  his  search  within  the 
tiled  walls  and  under  the  mysterious  seclusion  of  Masonry,  its  in- 
fluence for  good  will  be  direct  upon  him  and  through  him  indirectly 
influence  his  brethren,  neighbors  and  the  world.  It  will  lead  him  as 
it  were  to  a mirror  where  he  will  see  himself  reflected  with  all  his 
faults  and  imperfections ; it  will  open  the  windows  of  his  soul, 
however  small  they  may  be,  cleanse  from  its  chambers  the  filth  of 
moral  ignorance  and  selfishness,  of  wickedness  and  despair,  and 
let  in  the  light  of  life  and  hope,  of  ambition,  philanthropy  and 
heroism.  When  Masonry  has  thus  purged  its  patron  of  the  impurity 
of  his  carnal  nature  and  consumed  the  dross  of  his  grosser  being,  he 
stands  forth  before  the  world  a pure,  noble  and  just  man,  and  an 
antithesis  to  all  meanness,  flippancy  and  sensuality.  He  throws 
his  weight  into  the  scale  of  justice,  fortifies  men  against  temptation 
and  teaches  them  nobly  to  aspire.  In  the  mountain  atmosphere  of 
his  nature,  how  many  may  be  deepened  and  enlarged,  stronger  by 
his  strength,  greater  by  his  greatness.  In  how  many  breasts  may  he 
kindle  an  ardent  desire  for  improvement ; how  many  inspire  with  a 
finer,  higher,  keener  sense  of  the  purpose  of  existence.  His  influ- 
ence is  for  the  betterment  of  the  world,  and,  in  proportion  to  the 
good  he  does,  he  elevates  himself. 

Man  like  the  generous  vine  supported,  lives, 

The  strength  he  gains  is  from  the  embrace  he  gives. 

On  their  own  axis  as  the  planets  run, 

Yet  make  at  once  their  circles  around  the  sun, 

So  two  consistent  motions  act  the  soul. 

And  one  regards  itself  and  one  the  whole. 

Thus  God  and  Nature  linked  the  general  frame, 

And  bade  self-love  and  social  be  the  same. 


114 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


Self-love  but  serves  the  generous  mind  to  v/ake, 

As  the  small  pebble  stirs  the  peaceful  lake, 

The  center  moved,  a circle  straight  succeeds, 

Another  still  and  still  another  spreads, 

Friend,  parent,  neighbor,  first  it  will  embrace 
His  country  next,  and  next  all  human  race, 

Wide  and  more  wide  the  o’erflowings  of  the  mind 
Take  every  creature  in  of  every  kind; 

Earth  smiles  around,  with  boundless  bounty  blessed, 

And  Heaven  beholds  its  image  in  its  breast. 

Man,  though  in  his  grandest  era  of  resplendent  progress,  is  a de- 
pendent being;  dependent  upon  his  fellow  man  for  present  en- 
couragement and  upon  his  God  for  future  hope.  When,  by  himself 
alone,  he  seeks  to  rise,  he  feels  the  weight  of  clay ; but  animated  by 
the  principles  of  true  Masonry,  supported  by  the  strength  of  fra- 
ternity, his  soul  is  lifted  out  of  the  lowly  dust,  and  borne  on  angelic 
wings,  where  faltering  footsteps  fear  to  tread,  even  beyond  the 
trembling  stars,  to  the  throne  of  the  Infinite. 

Each  Masonic  Lodge  should  be  a City  of  Refuge  and  each  Mason’s 
breast  a heaven  of  rest  for  the  unfortunate,  downcast,  storm- 
tossed  brother,  and  for  suffering  humanity. 

I remember  once  in  my  youth  passing  through  an  experience 
which  indelibly  stamped  itself  on  my  memory.  I was  riding  along 
a lonely  road  in  the  mountains  which  surround  my  home.  It  was 
in  early  summer  and  the  trees  were  green  with  new-born  foliage, 
and  the  honeysuckle  and  rhododendron  vied  with  each  other  in  the 
rich  coloring  of  their  beautiful  flowers.  ‘Twas  almost  sunset,  and 
my  destination  was  still  some  miles  ahead.  At  this  juncture  I be- 
held dark  lowering  clouds  scurrying  across  the  face  of  the  heavens 
and  the  distant  muttering  of  deep-toned  thunder  told  of  an  ap- 
proaching storm.  Spurring  my  horse  rapidly  forward,  just  as  the 
storm  was  breaking  upon  me,  I saw  the  cottage  of  a mountaineer, 
and  soon,  after  safely  housing  my  steed,  I found  shelter,  welcome 
and  refreshment  beneath  its  humble  though  hospitable  roof.  E’er 
long  the  storm  broke  upon  us  with  all  its  fury  and  I beheld  a scene 
at  once  wildly  terrific  and  grandly  sublime.  The  earth  trembled 
with  the  shock  of  the  reverberating  thunder,  and  the  lurid  light- 
nings flashed  a game  of  hide-and-seek  in  the  gloomy  gorge  and  on 
the  misty  mountain  top,  while  the  wild  winds  howled  and  shrieked, 
the  gnarled  and  knotted  oaks,  weighted  with  a century’s  growth, 
bent,  swayed  and  groaned,  the  rain  fell  in  great  sheets,  the  little 
brooks  became  wild  torrents,  and  all  the  forces  of  nature  in  battle 
royal  were  arrayed.  Safe  in  the  security  of  that  mountain  home, 
wearied  with  my  day’s  journey,  I sought  for  repose;  and  while  the 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


115 


storm  still  raged  I found  much  needed  rest  in  the  oblivion  of  sleep. 
In  the  morning,  after  the  sun  had  already  gilded  the  orient,  I arose 
and  looked  forth  to  behold  a transformation.  Not  a cloud  flecked 
the  sky,  and  from  the  throes  of  last  night’s  labor  to  old  mother 
earth  new  beauty  was  born,  which  spread  out  before  me  in  panor- 
amic grandeur  to  the  far  horizon.  The  flowers  had  put  on  a more 
brilliant  luster  and  the  diamond  rain-drops,  pendant  from  every 
bough,  glittered  and  sparkled  in  the  morning  sun.  It  looked  as  if 
there  had  been  weeping  in  heaven  last  night  and  each  leaf  had  been 
appointed  to  catch  an  angel’s  tear.  All  nature  was  gladsome,  and 
filled  with  intense  gratitude  for  shelter  and  rest,  I rode  to  my 
journey’s  end  with  heart  as  light  and  gay  as  the  birds  which  carroled 
around  me.  I have  often  thought  how  typical  that  experience  of 
human  life,  what  a type  of  our  great  fraternity  that  mountain 
home.  We  start  out  on  life’s  journey,  pursue  our  course  unmolested 
and  unhindered,  the  day  is  fine,  the  sun  shines  brightly,  and  for  a 
time  all  goes  “merry  as  a marriage  bell.”  But  soon  the  evening 
shadows  lengthen  over  us,  darkness  comes  on  apace,  the  storm  ap- 
proaches and  threatens  to  sweep  us  away  with  its  fury.  We  stop  in 
terror,  almost  in  despair.  Life  stands  still  and  gazes  upon  the 
future’s  cold  gray  heaven,  as  if  to  catch  one  gleam  of  hope’s  fair 
star ; no  hope  is  there  for  us ; the  hand  of  God  lays  darkly  in  the 
cloud  that  shadows  it.  Then  happy,  thrice  happy  is  he,  who,  when 
the  tempest  breaks  upon  him,  can  find  the  comfort,  love  and  encour- 
agement of  a brother  Mason’s  breast  and  the  shelter  and  protection 
of  the  Masonic  Lodge.  It  brings  fresh  hope  to  his  weary,  despair- 
ing soul,  renews  his  strength,  awakens  new  energies,  fringes  life’s 
pathway  with  new  beauty,  and,  touching  the  chords  of  the  great 
heart  of  humanity,  it  thrills  to  music  every  tightened  nerve  that 
strings  the  living  lyre  of  being. 

These,  then,  are  the  great  fundamental  purposes  of  Masonry ; to 
relieve  distress,  to  shelter  the  homeless,  give  strength  to  the  weak, 
courage  to  the  downcast  and  hope  to  the  despairing  the  world  over, 
and  continue  its  labors  of  love  till  want  has  no  suffering  to  allev- 
iate and  sorrow  no  tears  to  dry. 

When  Masonry  was  operative  it  was  a brotherhood  of  builders ; 
its  purpose  was  to  cement  in  fraternal  unity,  to  organize  and  har- 
monize the  thousands  of  craftsmen  who  were  its  constituent  parts, 
so  that  there  might  be  unity  of  design  and  execution,  the  direct 
resultant  of  which  were  temples  and  edifices,  transcending  in 
architectural  beauty,  magnificent  splendor  and  resistance  to  the 
ravages  of  time,  all  efforts  of  the  present  though  aided  and  sup- 
ported by  the  advancement  of  modern  invention. 


116 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


Masons  are  still  builders.  Each  Mason  is  constructing  his  temple 
of  the  soul.  If  we  but  study,  comprehend  and  realize  in  its  fullness 
the  great  design  placed  upon  the  trestleboard  by  the  Grand  Master 
of  the  Universe — if  we  but  follow  his  instructions  and  build  well 
our  soul-temples,  we  shall  build  into  ourselves  and  into  our  great 
Fraternity,  temples  which  will  “ mock  the  regal  splendor  of  marble 
and  the  durability  of  perennial  brass.” 

And  brethren,  I close  with  this  sentiment.  May  each  one  in  this 
presence  and  each  Mason  throughout  the  universe  so  construct  his 
soul-temple  that  it  shall  be  more  beautiful  and  perfect  than  any 
which  ever  stood  upon  Moriah’s  Mount,  and  may  its  “ Holy  of 
Holies”  be  purified  and  adorned  for  the  everlasting  indwelling  of 
an  eternal  God.  [Great  applause.] 

The  Toastmaster:  It  is  with  regret,  brethren,  that  I have 

to  announce  that  the  President  is  compelled  to  retire  at 
this  time. 

Brother  Taft:  Goodnight. 

(All  stood  and  bade  the  President  good  night.) 

The  Toastmaster.  Brethren : I want  to  introduce  to  you 
now  the  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  a jurisdiction  far  to 
the  north  of  us,  Most  Worshipful  Brother  Henry  L.  Ballou, 
Grand  Master  of  the  State  of  Vermont.  [Applause.] 

Brother  HENRY  L.  BALLOU : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : Had  you  not 

alluded  at  the  beginning  of  your  remarks  to  that  teaching  of  Ma- 
sonry which  promotes  obedience,  I would  not  now  rise,  for  I had  no 
idea  that  anything  would  be  asked  of  me  this  evening  until  I read 
the  menu  and  discovered  something  about  visiting  Grand  Masters 
making  addresses,  and  I was  even  then  very  much  in  hope  that 
what  I read  might  be  like  statements  we  see  in  the  newspapers, 
which  we  find  later  to  be  untrue,  or  like  the  reported  death  of 
Mark  Twain,  which  Mark  cabled  was  “ highly  exaggerated.” 
[Laughter.]  I can  only  at  this  late  hour,  Most  Worshipful  Sir, 
say  that  I trust  that  the  remarks  we  have  heard  as  to  what  has 
been  accomplished  in  the  past  may  be  but  an  earnest  of  your  fu- 
ture— a prophesy  of  the  accomplishment  of  greater  things  which 
1 hope  you  will  enjoy.  [Applause.] 

The  Toastmaster : Before  we  disperse,  we  want  to  hear 

something  from  each  jurisdiction  represented  here  tonight, 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


117 


late  though  it  is,  and  therefore  I must  beg  your  indulgence 
for  a few  minutes.  I now  want  to  introduce  to  you  Most 
Worshipful  Brother  James  R.  Johnson,  Grand  Master  of 
Masons  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina.  [Applause.] 

Brother  JAMES  R.  JOHNSON: 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren  of  this  Grand 
Lodge,  and  guests  assembled : The  hour  is  indeed  late,  but  I shall 
detain  you  only  a few  moments.  There  is  just  a little  message, 
however,  which  I wish  to  leave  with  you,  and  which  I think  we,  as 
Masons,  should  carry  home  with  us. 

I consider  it  a great  privilege  to  be  counted  worthy  to  address 
this  distinguished  body,  representing  the  oldest  fraternal  institu- 
tion in  existence,  one  that  stands  pre-eminent  in  good  deeds,  and 
has  been  instrumental  in  civilizing  and  delevoping  this  great  country 
of  ours ; standing  as  it  does  for  the  identical  principles  expressed 
in  that  immortal  document,  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  march- 
ing side  by  side  with  our  great  liberty-loving  country,  dispelling 
darkness;  preaching  liberty  of  conscience  and  the  encouragement  of 
education,  that  great  medium  of  light,  and  destroyer  of  darkness. 

Brethren,  we  are  members  of  a great  brotherhood,  whose  origin 
is  lost  in  a forgotten  past;  whose  traditions  come  to  us  hallowed  by 
the  mists  of  years ; whose  ritual,  ideal  in  sentiment,  and  eloquent 
in  diction,  is  written  in  every  civilized  language,  whose  ancient  cus- 
toms, usages,  and  landmarks  are  familiar  the  round  world  over; 
whose  principles  of  truth  and  justice  and  charity,  of  the  righteous- 
ness that  fears  God  and  regards  man,  are  the  consummate  ethical 
wisdom  of  the  ages.  There  is  something  in  the  white  hair,  the 
wrinkled  cheek,  the  bowed  form,  the  feeble  step  of  an  aged  person 
that  demands  and  receives  veneration,  we  respect  him  for  his  years 
and  experience,  and  for  his  wisdom,  the  product  of  his  years  and 
experience.  We  cross  a continent  to  see  an  ancient  ruin.  Forty 
centuries  looked  down  from  the  pyramids  on  the  legions  of  Napo- 
leon, and  the  soldiers  of  France,  inspired  by  the  thought,  fought  to 
victory. 

Thirty-six  years  ago  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ancient  Free  Masons  of  South  Carolina  celebrated  the  one  hun- 
dredth anniversary  of  her  birth,  and  with  all  the  prestige  of  her 
additional  years  she  joins  her  voice  of  congratulation  to  that  of 
Massachusetts,  Pennsylvania,  and  others  of  the  immortal  thirteen 
original  States  in  welcoming  this  Grand  Jurisdiction  to  the  sister- 
hood of  centenarians,  and  bids  her  join  in  the  great  work  of  email- 


118 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


cipation,  the  enlightenment  of  the  world  and  the  spreading  of  the 
doctrine  of  independence  of  thought,  and  the  creation  of  a type  of 
citizenship  that  will  redound  to  the  glory  of  our  day  and  age. 

In  conclusion  let  me  say  that  this  has  been  an  occasion  not  only  of 
pleasure  but  of  inspiration.  May  we  have  many  more  such  meet- 
ings of  the  Craft  to  “ move  us  on  to  noble  ends.”  In  union  there  is 
strength,  and,  my  brethren,  rest  assured  our  beloved  fraternity  will 
never  die  if  we  strive  to  make  her  strength  perfect  in  unity. 

The  Toastmaster.  Brethren : At  the  communication  of 

the  Grand  Lodge  this  morning  there  were  some  of  our  visit- 
ing Grand  Masters  unavoidably  absent,  and  I know  that  you 
will  appreciate  a word  from  them  at  this  time.  For  that  pur- 
pose I will  call  upon  Most  Worshipful  Brother  G.  Roscoe 
Swith,  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  Michigan.  [Applause.] 

Brother  G.  ROSCOE  SWIFT: 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : I assure  you  that 
T shall  not  detain  you  with  any  extended  remarks  at  this  late  hour, 
not  presuming  to  be  capable  of  instructing  you  in  any  way  along  the 
lines  of  Masonry.  But  I wish  to  assure  you  that  I bring  to  you 
greetings  of  seventy  thousand  true  and  tried  Brothers  from  Michi- 
gan, who  are  yet  too  young  to  celebrate  their  one  hundredth  anni- 
versary 

When  I started  out  from  home  tonight  I said  to  my  wife:  “If 
they  should  be  foolish  enough  to  call  upon  me  to  make  any  remarks, 
what  shall  I talk  about?” 

She  replied:  “If  you  want  to  make  a hit  with  them,  you  talk  about 
a half  a minute.”  [Laughter.] 

I tell  you,  brethren,  the  Grand  Master  of  Michigan  has  something 
else  to  do  in  his  grand  jurisdiction  besides  talk.  [Applause.]  He 
•observes  the  Divine  admonition  of  earning  his  bread  by  the  sweat 
of  his  brow  rather  than  by  the  sweat  of  his  jaw.  [Laughter.] 

So  I come  to  you  tonight  with  no  message  but  greetings,  but  will 
give  you  a sentiment  which,  to  us  in  Michigan,  seems  to  be  the 
best  sentiment  for  Masons : 

There  are  hermit  souls  that  live  withdrawn, 

In  the  place  of  their  self-content ; 

There  are  souls  like  stars  that  dwell  apart 
In  a fellowless  firmament ; 

There  are  pioneer  souls  that  blaze  their  paths 
Where  highways  never  ran  ; 

But  let  me  live  by  the  side  of  the  road 
And  be  a friend  to  man. 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


11!) 


Let  me  live  in  my  house  by  the  side  of  the  road 
Where  the  race  of  men  go  by  ; 

The  men  who  are  good,  the  men  who  are  bad, 

As  good  and  as  bad  as  I. 

i would  not  sit  in  the  scorner’s  seat, 

Nor  hurl  the  cynic’s  ban; 

Tint  let  me  live  in  a house  by  the  side  of  the  road 
And  be  a friend  to  man. 

I can  see  from  my  house  by  the  side  of  the  road. 

By  the  side  of  the  highway  of  life, 

The  men  who  press  with  the  ardor  of  hope, 

The  men  who  are  faint  with  strife. 

But  I turn  not  away  from  their  sighs  nor  their  tears, 

Both  parts  of  an  infinite  plan ; 

So  let  me  live  in  my  house  by  the  side  of  the  road 
And  be  a friend  to  man. 

I know  there  are  brook-gladdened  meadows  ahead, 

And  mountains  of  wearisome  height ; 

And  the  road  passes  on  through  the  long  afternoon 
And  stretches  away  to  the  night ; 

But  still  I rejoice  when  the  travelers  rejoice, 

And  weep  with  the  strangers  that  moan, 

Nor  live  in  my  house  by  the  side  of  the  road 
Like  a man  who  dwells  alone. 

Then  let  me  live  in  my  house  by  the  side  of  the  road 
Where  the  race  of  men  go  by ; 

They  are  good,  they  are  bad,  they  are  weak,  they  are  strong, 
Wise,  foolish — and  so  am  I. 

Then  why  should  I sit  in  the  scorner’s  seat, 

Or  hurl  the  cynic’s  ban? 

Let  me  live  in  my  house  by  the  side  of  the  road 
And  be  a friend  to  man. 

I thank  you.  [Applause.] 

The  Toastmaster.  Brethren : From  the  far  Southland 

there  comes  to  us  on  this  occasion  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
State  of  Alabama,  Most  Worshipfnl  Brother  Lawrence  H. 
Lee,  whom  I now  introduce. 

Brother  LAWRENCE  H.  LEE : 

Most  Worshipful  Sir  and  Brethren : The  colored  brother,  with 

his  usual  and  commendable  patience,  has  served  to  point  the  story 
and  introduce  the  subject  of  many  of  the  entertaining  addresses  we 
have  heard  this  evening.  I hope  I may  be  pardoned,  then,  if  I 
turn  to  the  other  sex  for  an  illustration  of  my  present  condition. 

This  is  a true  incident,  and  happened  to  a prosecuting  officer  in 
my  native  county,  way  down  in  Alabama.  He  was  seated  in  his 


U'-iJdJJci.l 


MJ3- 


te^rz>xs 

'rUx  I ithl  i>  rj-M  IvfHJ 


n>r».  t*  H <s»t  n*  t n i HnrCI'-uvn  i-H 


s 

o 

o 

« 

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o 

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o 

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o 

z 

ID 


BIRTH-PLACE  OF  GRAND  LODGE. 


NEW  MASONIC  TEMPLE. 
PRESENT  HOME  OF  GRAND  LODGE. 


CENTEX  XIAL  CELEBRATION. 


125 


office  one  summer  afternoon  listening  to  the  ceaseless  tread  of 
clients — passing  by — when  a dusky  maiden  entered  and  handed  him 
a note.  She  appeared  to  be  modest  and  retiring,  and  he  noticed 
nothing1  out  of  the  ordinary  in  her  appearance.  After  reading  the 
note  he  looked  up  and  asked  her  who  had  written  it. 

She  replied  : “I  did.” 

“Why  did  you  write  it?  Why  did  you  not  come  to  me  and  tell 
me  about  it?” 

“Why,  I just  couldn't/'’ 

The  note  read  thus  : 

“I  am  in  a pregnant  state  of  health  by  one  Chester  Miller,  and  I 
desire  to  get  your  motto  for  the  entertainment  of  the  child.” 

I find  myself  in  a pregnant  state  of  health  from  having  imbibed 
so  freely  of  the  delightful  cheer  placed  before  me  this  evening,  and 
hence  find  myself  solicitous  about  the  motto  for  your  entertain- 
ment tonight. 

Seriously,  the  occasion  reminds  me  of  the  words  of  a famous 
Southern  orator,  as  he  stood  for  the  first  time  before  the  board  of 
the  New  England  Society  of  New  York,  ladened  with  the  famed 
New  England  cheer.  He  said:  “I  am  delighted  to  be  here.  I make 
this  announcement  abruptly,  but  advisedly,  for  I realize  that  should 
my  courage  fail  me,  and  I perish  in  the  attempt  to  say  more,  I 
shall  at  least  have  died  with  thanks  on  my  tongue  and  grace  in 
my  heart.” 

In  the  Grand  Jurisdiction  which  I have  the  honor  to  represent 
there  are  more  than  six  hundred  lodges.  These  nestle  among  the 
hills  that  mark  the  northernmost  boundary,  and  stretch  across  valley 
and  plain  to  the  gulf-kissed  shores  of  her  southern  limits.  They 
form  the  home  and  holy  of  holies  of  more  than  23,000  Masons,  true 
and  tried.  And  when  we  mention  23  it  does  not  mean  “ skiddo  ” or 
“ go  away  back  and  sit  down,”  but  with  us  it  means  go  forward  and 
take  your  God-given  place  among  the  foremost  ranks  in  the  relig- 
ious, political  and  social  life  of  our  State.  From  these  brethren  I 
bring  you  cordial  and  fraternal  greeting  on  this  your  centennial 
anniversary. 

We  realize  that  the  years  but  serve  to  mark  the  progress  of  the 
nations  to  a more  perfect  civilization ; and  that  the  events  of  the 
years  serve  as  milestones  along  life’s  highway,  to  point  the  traveler 
on  his  journey,  and  the  doubting  ones  adown  the  right  paths.  We 
have  never  been  of  those  who  believe  that  Masonry  had  its  origin 
in  the  societies  and  guild  halls  of  London.  We  think  that  Masonry 
represents  all  that  is  best  in  life ; that  it  makes  for  liberty  and  the 


126 


centennial,  celebration. 


highest  individual  development  of  man  along  individual  and  inde- 
pendent lines. 

Believing  this,  we  have  another  message  to  bring  you.  You  breth- 
ren of  the  District  of  Columbia  are  living  within  the  world  cur- 
rents, while  we  are  sometimes  on  the  outside — just  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  tree  of  world-knowledge.  You  are  thus  enabled  to 
see  the  far  side  of  near  things,  and  the  near  side  of  far  things. 
You  are,  so  to  speak,  in  the  watch  tower,  guardians  of  the  outposts, 
and  we  down  in  Alabama  look  to  you  to  warn  of  approaching 
danger,  not  only  to  the  Craft,  but  to  the  nation  and  her  manifold 
interests.  Hence  we  live  in  the  hope  that  you  may  continue  to 
flourish,  and  that  your  appreciation  of  your  responsibilities  will  be 
commensurate  with  our  needs. 

But  I have  tresspassed  too  much  already  upon  your  patience,  and 
desire  in  conclusion  to  say  that  I fully  realize  that  on  occasions  like 
the  present  the  individual  is  lost  sight  of  and  the  compliment  to  his 
constituency  made  plain ; so  in  their  name,  as  well  as  for  myself, 
I thank  you  sincerely  for  this  cordial  and  delightful  occasion. 

The  Toastmaster.  Brethren:  You  remember  the  motto, 

“ United  we  stand,  divided  we  fall,”  borne  on  the  coat- 
of-arms  of  Kentucky.  In  response  to  that  sentiment  I pre- 
sent to  you  the  Grand  Master  of  the  State  of  Kentucky, 
Most  Worshipful  Brother  Robert  R.  Burnam. 

Brother  ROBERT  R.  BURNAM!: 

For  an  hundred  years  it  has  been  the  law  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Kentucky  that  no  meetings  shall  be  protracted  from  one  day  to 
another.  [Laughter.]  I am  very  much  afraid  if  I get  started  I 
shall  cause  this  old  law  to  be  violated.  But  I want  to  say  to  the 
Masons  of  the  District  of  Columbia  that  last  October  we  celebrated 
our  one  hundred  and  tenth  anniversary,  and  like  unto  the  other 
brethren,  who  have  spoken  here,  I bear  a message  of  good-will 
from  40,000  Masons  whose  blood  is  warm  and  whose  greeting  is 
still  warmer  to  you.  I rejoice  that  I am  able  to  be  here  to  repre- 
sent the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  at  this  banquet,  the  close  of 
your  Centennial  celebration.  I hope  that  those  who  come  after  us 
may  be  inspired  by  the  noble  tenets  of  our  Order  to  high  ambitions 
and  worthy  deeds. 

I rejoice  to  be  within  your  jurisdiction  again,  shaking  hands  with 
old  friends,  and  making  the  acquaintance  of  new  ones;  and  I trust 
that  the  time  may  come  when  I shall  be  able  to  greet  some  of  you 
at  least  within  the  Grand  Jurisdiction  of  Kentucky.  I thank  you. 


OF  THF  GRAND  DODGER  F.  A.  A.  M. 


127 


The  Toastmaster : There  is  at  our  board  a brother  who, 

I think,  stands  peculiarly  alone  because  of  the  fact  that  he 
may  boast  of  an  age  which  carries  him  almost  back  to  the 
date  of  the  formation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of 
Columbia.  He  was  born  in  1817,  and  therefore  has  attained 
the  mature  age  of  94  years.  I present  to  you  Past  Grand 
Master  William  T.  Mitchell,  from  the  State  of  Michigan. 
[Applause.]  I want  to  say  that  you  would  never  approxi- 
mate his  age  by  looking  at  him.  [Great  applause.] 

Brother  WILLIAM  T.  MITCHELL: 

My  Brethren  : I am  here  tonight  with  a great  deal  of  reluctance. 

T was  not  aware  of  this  magnificent  occasion.  I got  a little  tele- 
phone from  my  brother,  the  Grand  Master  of  Michigan,  saying  I 
was  wanted  here  at  the  New  Willard.  I came,  of  course,  because 
that  was  the  command  of  my  Grand  Master.  I have  come  without 
the  proper  badge  and  decoration  on  me,  so  I trust  I am  regular  in 
my  appearance  here,  although  I am  dressed  in  my  business  clothes. 
I have  no  apologies  to  make. 

A voice.  You  don’t  need  any. 

Brother  MITCHELL.  I stand  here  as  I am.  It  is  true,  I have 
passed  some  years,  and  I have  been  a long  time  a Mason.  In  that 
long  time  I have  found  one  thing  in  Masonry  that  I don’t  quite 
like — we  are  all  inclined  to  pat  each  other  on  the  back  and  say  what 
good  fellows  we  are ; nobody  quite  as  good  as  we.  [Laughter.] 

We  have  had  a little  talk  here  this  evening  from  a grand  man — 
not  a Grand  Master — with  whom  I do  not  quite  agree  in  politics, 
but  I am  glad  to  meet  him  upon  almost  any  conservative  issue ; a 
man  who  was  made  a Master  Mason  at  sight,  our  respected  and  be- 
loved President  of  the  United  States,  Brother  William  Howard 
Taft.  Now,  every  one  of  us  was  made  a Mason  at  sight;  it  only 
took  a little  longer  sight  to  make  Masons  of  some  of  us,  that  is  all. 
[Laughter.]  But  what  is  a Mason  made  at  sight?  Masonry  com- 
prises the  knowledge  of  our  principles  and  institutions.  But  I am 
not  here  to  talk  over  all  the  principles  and  propositions  of  Ma- 
sonry. Why  should  I on  a convivial  occasion  like  this?  We  don’t 
want  long  speeches  here.  If  you  had  lived  as  long  as  I have  you 
would  tell  me  to  be  a good  fellow  and  mind  my  own  business. 
[Laughter.] 

The  Toastmaster.  Brethren : I want  to  present  to  you 

at  this  time  the  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  the  State  of 
West  Virginia,  Most  Worshipful  Brother  Wyndham  Stokes. 


128 


centennial  celebration 


Brother  WYNDHAM  STOKES : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master : The  hour  is  growing  late,  and 

1 shall  not  occupy  much  of  your  time,  but  now  that  I am  upon  my 
feet,  if  I do  not  say  what  I intended  saying  I will  at  least  tell  you 
what  I intended  saying. 

I intended  to  do  two  things : 

In  the  first  place,  I intended  to  illuminate  my  brethren  in  their 
darkness  in  regard  to  the  Great  Principles  of  Masonry,  and  the 
light  they  will  be  found  to  shed  upon  the  initiated.  Not  because 
i have  any  monopoly  of  the  Great  Prinicples,  or  any  peculiar  means 
of  knowledge,  but  that  we  must  talk  about  something,  and  that  sub- 
ject would  occupy  time.  But  I am  so  far  down  near  the  bottom  of 
the  list,  and  others  have  given  so  much  valuable  information 
of  that  kind  already,  that  I will  omit  this,  and  receive  your  secret 
thanks. 

A second  piece  of  information  I intended  to  give  you,  was  the 
correction  of  some  mistakes  I made  in  my  remarks  this  morning  at 
the  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  We  do  not  very  often 
have  a chance  to  make  two  speeches  on  the  same  day,  and  do  this, 
but  as  it  will  take  considerable  time  and  explanation  to  do  so  I will 
also  spare  you  this  trial,  and  will  accept  more  thanks. 

Having  disposed  of  these  important  matters,  once  more  let  me, 
with  those  who  have  preceded  me,  bear  the  greetings  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  West  Virginia  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District 
of  Columbia  in  this  your  centennial  celebration.  It  will  never 
happen  again.  One  hundred  years  have  passed  into  the  history 
of  the  past,  and  nobody  can  tell  what  will  happen  before  another 
century  has  passed  into  history.  We  are  together,  here,  celebrating 
the  one  hundredth  birthday  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  no  prophet 
can  tell  what  the  next  hundred  years  may  bring  forth. 

Now,  this  is  all  I have  to  say,  except  to  explain  to  you  the  situa- 
tion in  which  a countryman  like  I am  finds  himself  at  your  metro- 
politan gatherings.  I come  from  Welch,  in  the  Free  State  of  Mc- 
Dowell, West  Virginia,  a place  you  have  probably  never  heard  of, 
and  feel  like  the  old  man  who  lived  at  Crossroads  and  had  never 
been  away  from  home.  He  had  a handsome  legacy  left  him,  and 
decided  that  he  would  go  to  Paris,  and  look  around  that  enterprising 
and  great  city.  Upon  his  return,  his  neighbors  all  turned  out,  and 
asked  him  to  tell  them  all  he  had  seen  in  Paris ; how  great  the  city 
was  and  what  he  did  there.  The  old  man  heaved  a sigh  and  said : 
“Well,  boys,  Paris  is  a great  city,  but  Crossroads  for  pleasure,”  so 
when  I return  to  my  native  heath  and  questions  are  asked  about 


of  the;  grand  dodge;,  f.  a.  a.  m. 


120 


Washington,  I shall  reply  like  the  old  man:  “Well,  boys,  Washing- 
ton is  a great  place,  but  Welch  for  pleasure.” 

I thank  you  very  much. 

The  Toastmaster : It  is  a far  cry  from  the  State  of  West 

Virginia  to  the  State  of  North  Dakota,  but  we  will  listen  to 
a few  words  from  the  Grand  Master  of  Masons  of  that  far- 
off  jurisdiction,  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  Brother 
John  J.  Hull. 

Brother  JOHN  J.  HULL : 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  and  Brethren : Like  some  of  the 
other  brethren  who  have  spoken  tonight,  I did  not  know  until  I 
arrived  here  that  I was  expected  to  say  anything.  However,  the 
lateness  of  the  hour  would  prevent  me  saying  very  much,  even  had 
1 been  prepared. 

It  has  been  stated  this  evening  by  one  whom  I think  I have 
no  right  to  question  that  a Grand  Lodge  does  not  reach  the 
full  stature  of  manhood  until  it  is  at  least  a hundred  years  old. 
Since  hearing  that  remark  I feel  that  I am  perhaps  the  youngest 
Mason  here  tonight.  My  jurisdiction  has  just  past  the  age  of 
twenty-two,  so  I feel  that  I am  but  a boy  in  knee-pants,  as  compared 
with  these  other  jurisdictions  represented  here  tonight. 

At  that  age  I was  taught  to  be  seen  and  not  to  be  heard,  so  I 
think  I will  follow  that  old  maxim  of  being  seen  and  not  being 
heard.  So,  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  I will  close  my  brief 
remarks  by  again  extending  to  you  from  the  8,000  Masons  we  have 
in  the  State  of  North  Dakota  our  kindest  greetings. 

I thank  you  again  for  the  entertainment  which  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  has  extended  to  us  while  here  in  your 
city.  [Applause.] 

The  Toastmaster : I want  to  present  to  you,  brethren,  at 

this  time  a representative  of  that  body  of  Masons  which  we 
in  the  District  of  Columbia  peculiarly  delight  to  honor — the 
Past  Grand  Masters  of  our  own  jurisdiction;  and  so  I ask 
the  Dean  of  our  Past  Grand  Masters,  Most  Worshipful 
Brother  Myron  M.  Parker,  to  say  a word,  and  then  we  will 
be  dismissed. 

Brother  MYRON  M.  PARKER: 

Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master:  I am  not  disposed  to  inflict  my- 


130 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


self  on  you  with  a long  speech  tonight.  It  is  too  late  and  I am  con- 
scious you  do  not  want  it. 

A thought,  however;  has  impressed  itself  on  my  mind  while  sit- 
ting at  this  board.  I recognize  sitting  around  this  table  Grand 
Masters  from  many  sections  of  our  country  widely  apart,  and  one 
from  a foreign  jurisdiction. 

The  Grand  Master  of  New  Brunswick  comes  one  thousand  miles, 
two  thousand  miles  of  travel,  to  do  honor  to  this  Grand  Lodge. 
The  Grand  Master  of  North  Dakota  comes  fifteen  hundred  miles, 
three  thousand  miles  of  travel,  to  honor  the  centennial  ceremonies 
of  this  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Master  of  Vermont  comes  five 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  eleven  hundred  miles  of  travel,  to  do  honor 
to  this  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Master  of  Connecticut  comes 
five  hundred  miles,  one  thousand  miles  of  travel.  The  Grand  Master 
of  West  Virginia  comes  five  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  eleven  hun- 
dred and  twenty  miles.  The  Grand  Master  of  Alabama  comes 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  fifteen  hundred  miles.  The  Grand 
Master  of  North  Carolina  travels  seven  hundred  miles.  The  Grand 
Master  of  South  Carolina  travels  eight  hundred  miles,  all  to  do 
honor  to  our  Grand  Lodge  . 

Speaking  for  our  Grand  Lodge  I want  to  say  how  much  we  appre- 
ciate it  and  how  glad  we  are  that  Masonic  history  will  record  their 
presence. 

This  Grand  Lodge  deeply  regrets  that  Virginia,  lying  just  across 
the  Potomac — so  near,  that  the  shadows  of  the  Washington  Monu- 
ment, from  the  morning  sun,  rest  on  the  porch  of  the  historic 
Arlington,  did  not  find  it  convenient  to  have  a representative  here; 
that  New  Jersey,  about  one  hundred  miles  away,  was  not  repre- 
sented here,  and  that  Pennsylvania  and  New  York,  our  near  neigh- 
bors, did  not  take  interest  enough  to  send  a representative.  The 
contrast,  however,  makes  those  first  named  all  the  more  appre- 
ciated. 

Speaking  for  the  Past  Grand  Masters  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  I am 
led  to  cast  my  mind  back  to  our  Mother  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland, 
and  the  thought  comes  to  me  how  lonesome  our  distinguished  Past 
Grand  Master  Carter  must  be,  standing  in  a class  all  by  himself. 
[Laughter.]  No  Past  Grand  Master  to  talk  to  for  over  twenty-five 
years,  and  then  there  is  Grand  Master  Shryock,  Grand  Master  of 
Maryland  for  twenty-five  years.  These  conditions  are  unique. 
There  seems  to  have  been  no  competition,  or  if  there  was  competi- 
tion, it  was  suppressed.  It  really  seems  to  be  one  of  those  cases 
where  the  Attorney-General  might  have  brought  suit  under  the  Sher- 
man anti-trust  act,  as  a monopoly  in  restraint  of  Past  Grand  Mas- 


OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE,  F.  A.  A.  M. 


131 


ters.  That  grand  old  mother  must  have  had  a change  of  life 
twenty-five  years  ago.  [Laughter.]  What  is  going  to  happen  when 
Grand  Master  Shryock  dies?  Who  will  be  Grand  Master  then? 
Talk  about  King  Solomon.  He  only  built  one  temple.  Shryock  has 
built  two,  and  I hope  he  will  live  long  to  enjoy  the  last  one,  for  he 
is  an  honor  to  the  Craft  and  a grand  Grand  Master.  [Applause.] 

Speaking  to  the  toast,  we  have  some  twenty  Past  Grand  Masters, 
nearly  all,  we  are  glad  to  say,  in  good  health  and  the  enjoyment 
of  life.  We  live  somewhat  in  memory,  referring  occasionally  to 
prominent  incidents  connected  with  our  administrations. 

We  hope  that  our  efforts  have  been  such  as  to  meet  with  the 
approval  of  our  brethren,  and  we  shall  hope  to  continue  enjoying 
their  love  and  confidence,  and  with  these  we  shall  be  entirely  con- 
tent. [Great  applause.]  f 

The  Toastmaster : Brethren,  we  have  now  reached  the 

conclusion  of  the  ceremonies  by  which,  during  the  past 
three  days,  we  have  commemorated  the  one  hundredth 
anniversary  of  our  existence  as  a Grand  Lodge.  As  we 
disperse,  each  going  on  his  separate  way,  may  it  be  with 
hearts  full  of  gratitude  for  the  successful  outcome  of  our 
celebration,  and  with  a deep  sense  of  thankfulness  for  the 
Divine  care  and  protection  which  has  ever  encompassed  us. 

With  best  wishes  for  you  all,  my  brethren,  I bid  you 
good-night  and  Godspeed. 


I | , ,i  i v H M,  \ I II V 


